This is a challenging time for many Nigerians, particularly the lower-income citizens. The price of bread, which has traditionally been an accessible and affordable food option, has become increasingly unattainable. The continuous surge in food prices has had severe repercussions on the population, leading to hunger and malnutrition. Inflation has permeated all sectors, including essential commodities, as the Naira struggles in the global market, compounding the financial strain on Nigerian households.
Protests erupted in Niger and Kano States over the soaring cost of living, highlighting the frustration and desperation among the populace. Despite these challenges, the government has yet to provide a viable solution to the persistent increase in the price of wheat flour, the primary raw material for bread production. This has sparked deep concerns among both bread producers and consumers.
The situation reached a tipping point on February 2, when local bread bakers in Kano State, located in Northwest Nigeria, took to the streets to voice their opposition to the exorbitant cost of flour. They emphasized that the steep price hike posed a significant threat to their livelihoods. The outspoken chairperson of the association, Fatima Awwal, urgently called on the Federal Government to intervene and address the relentless surge in the commodity’s price.
Amid the protest, Awwal illuminated the dire circumstances faced by the bread bakers, emphasizing that the majority of them were women striving to sustain their families through this small-scale business. The drastic increase in flour prices has left numerous entrepreneurs in a precarious position, with many forced to cease operations due to capital constraints.
The protests underscored the crucial role of Gurasa, a local bread variant made from a mixture of flour, yeast, sugar, and water, in providing sustenance for many individuals, particularly those with limited means. Notably, Gurasa production has also created essential employment opportunities, permeating various local markets, motor parks, and roadsides.
Placards brandishing slogans such as ‘Inflation is too high in the country,’ ‘FG must act now, we are tired of increment of flour price,’ and ‘Nigerians are hungry’ encapsulated the prevailing sentiment of helplessness and frustration. While some attribute the surge in prices to the removal of fuel subsidies, others point to the ongoing depreciation of the Naira against the dollar.
Industry insiders echoed these concerns, with Kolade Folurunsho, a bread baker, denouncing the fuel subsidy removal, attributing it to the staggering cost increases that have crippled the bread production sector. Similarly, Livinus Eze, an engineer-turned-baker, highlighted the far-reaching implications of the fuel subsidy removal, linking it to amplified transport costs and subsequent price hikes for essential goods.
With the cost of flour skyrocketing, many bakeries have been forced to shut down, exemplifying the pervasive impact of these price fluctuations. Eze lamented the repercussions of these developments, observing a fundamental shift in consumer behavior as bread, once a staple for many, is gradually becoming unattainable.
As the situation escalates, urgent and comprehensive intervention from the government is imperative to alleviate the financial distress and sustain the bread production industry, safeguarding livelihoods and ensuring continued access to this essential food item.
The Impact of Rising Prices on Bread in Nigeria
The soaring prices of essential commodities in Nigeria, particularly the skyrocketing cost of bread, have left the populace reeling from the severe economic strain. The once affordable staple food has now become a luxury for many, prompting widespread concern and calls for government intervention.
Amidst the prevailing hardship, Okechukwu Godwin, a bread baker based in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria, shed light on the underlying factors driving this alarming trend. He emphasized the detrimental impact of the high Naira to Dollar exchange rate on imported wheat flour, a crucial component in bread production. The steep decline of the Naira, depreciating to approximately N1,500 to N1,510 against the US Dollar, has exacerbated the financial burden on businesses and consumers alike.
Furthermore, Mr. Godwin highlighted the ripple effect of exorbitant sugar prices, coupled with soaring fuel and gas costs, contributing to the overall escalation of bread prices. The ramifications are dire, with traditional bread consumers grappling with the sudden unaffordability of a once commonplace meal.
Rowlande Akande, a Lagos-based estate agent, echoed the sentiments of many Nigerians, stressing the urgency for government intervention to alleviate the profound impact on low-income families. The specter of widespread hunger and its associated perils looms large, compelling the government to address the burgeoning crisis without delay.
As the plight of the populace intensifies, the prevailing sentiment beckons a swift and resolute response from the government. The resilience of the Nigerian people is severely tested, as they confront the harsh realities of an unprecedented economic upheaval, underscoring the imperative for decisive action to avert an impending humanitarian crisis.
