(Nigerian Trader Blasting. Photo by X.com)
Traders in a timber market have voiced strong frustration over the rising cost of living, pointing to petrol prices of around ₦1,350 per litre, cement selling for over ₦12,000 per bag, and the soaring cost of food items.
They trace their hardship back to President Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira in 2023, decisions that triggered a sharp spike in inflation to around 34 percent.
One trader was particularly blunt in his criticism, accusing the president of having little understanding of governance and warning that only the unwise would support him for a second term.
On the other hand, government officials have pointed to what they describe as progress, citing a drop in inflation to between 15 and 23 percent, GDP growth of between 3 and 4 percent, and a projected growth rate of 4.1 percent for 2026.
However, many ordinary Nigerians remain unconvinced, with public sentiment reflecting deep concern over rising poverty levels now said to affect more than 140 million people.
The central question on many minds is whether the economic reforms will translate into tangible relief for ordinary citizens before the 2027 general elections.