Food is expensive. Transport is worse. Rent is choking people. And the ones still smiling are either rich or pretending. This isn’t some temporary phase — it’s a full-blown cost of living crisis. But while it feels like everything is falling apart, there’s still a way to stay afloat (and maybe even build).
The Numbers Behind the Struggle (2025)
- Inflation Rate: 33.69% (as of May 2025)
- Unemployment Rate: 5% officially, but underemployment paints a different story, most people are just barely getting by
- Fuel Price: Over N900/litre in many states
- Electricity Tariffs: Up by 300% in some areas and with constant blackouts
- Food Basket: The average monthly food cost for a small family now sits around N120,000–N150,000
- Minimum Wage: Now N70,000 (but most Nigerians don't earn upto that.)
But Let’s Be Honest — Data Doesn’t Tell the Full Story
We need to shoutout to this: the real living standard of young Nigerians is better than these numbers suggest. Especially if you're between 25 and 35, you’ve probably already figured out that survival here isn’t just about salary anymore, it’s about strategy.
Nigerians are wired different. We hustle. We sell, learn, code, create, freelance, trade crypto, sell perfumes, sew, and somehow still find time to post on TikTok. The average Nigerian youth has 2–3 income streams or is seriously thinking about one.
Here’s What’s Making Life Crazy Expensive Right Now
- Subsidy Removal: It shot fuel prices up, and that alone affected food, transport, electricity, even pure water.
- Currency Devaluation: Dollar rates exploded. Imports cost more. Businesses raised prices. Even local stuff got expensive.
- Unstable Jobs: Many companies can’t pay well or on time. Freelancers? They’re chasing low-paying gigs just to survive.
- No Safety Net: No working social systems. If you’re broke in Nigeria, you’re just… broke.
So What Can You Actually Do?
This isn’t a motivational talk. Here are the real things that are helping people stay afloat:
1. Track Every Kobo
Use apps like Spendee, PiggyVest, or even a simple Google Sheet to track where your money is going. It’s not about being stingy — it’s about knowing what’s draining you.
2. Reduce Lifestyle Inflation
If your income goes up, keep your spending flat. Don't jump from noodles to shawarma just because one client paid you. Stack cash instead. Prices can rise overnight.
3. Start or Scale a Side Hustle
Think beyond your job. Can you monetize your voice, your camera, your network? People are selling print-on-demand shirts, managing TikTok pages, building CVs, or creating mini digital courses. It doesn’t have to be perfect — just start.
4. Share Costs & Collaborate
Split bills. Share internet. Join co-living or work collectives. Group buying reduces pressure. You’re not weak if you do what it takes to survive.
5. Upgrade Your Skills
You don’t need to go back to school. Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and even YouTube have free and affordable courses in high-demand skills: sales, UI design, digital marketing, automation, customer support, VA services, and more. If it pays in dollars, consider it.
6. Think Global, Earn Global
As painful as things are, this is the best time to plug into remote work. Check platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, RemoteOK, and Jobberman Remote. Pay is better. Dollars beat naira. Always.
7. Don’t Do Life Alone
This one matters. Nigeria is hard, but it’s harder alone. Build a support circle. Trade tips. Share links. Laugh together. Survive together. It’s the smart thing to do.
Final Words
We’re not sugarcoating anything. Things are rough. But giving up is not an option either. The worst thing you can do is sit still and expect things to magically improve. They won’t unless you move.
If this feels familiar, then you’re not alone. If it feels overwhelming, then you’re not crazy. The system is broken but that doesn’t mean you have to break with it.
Build slowly. Move smart. Share what you know. And when you win, help others do the same.
0 Comments
Write a comment