Whenever you walk around neighborhoods in Nigeria, you can hardly miss the sight of someone buying a plate of beans or a bowl of garri, staple foods that have been deeply ingrained in the nation’s food culture for generations. However, in recent times, these once-cheap and easily accessible foods have become increasingly scarce, and their prices have skyrocketed. For many Nigerians, what was once a common part of the daily diet has now become a luxury.
From the north to the south, beans, garri, and cocoyam among many other food items were the foundation of many homes, offering both sustenance and affordability. But now, with inflation biting harder than ever, the cost of these beloved foods has hit an all-time high, making it difficult for many Nigerians to afford their once-regular meals.
Beans: Once a Budget-Friendly Meal
Beans, also known as ewa in Yoruba or wake in Hausa, has been a go-to meal for millions of Nigerians, especially for those who couldn’t afford the more expensive meats and fish. It was a reliable, nutritious, and cost-effective meal. The average Nigerian could buy a mudu of beans, cook it with some palm oil, onions, and spices, and enjoy a hearty meal that could feed the family.
But these days, beans has become a food of the elite. A mudu of beans that once cost N1,500 in Abuja now goes for as high as N4,500 or more, depending on the region. And this hike is not just a temporary issue; it’s a long-term trend that shows no sign of reversing anytime soon. In fact, with the devastating effects of climate change and the escalating insecurity in the country, it’s become harder to produce and distribute beans in large quantities. The situation is even worse in the northern regions, where beans are traditionally grown.
“Beans was our go-to meal in my family,” says a frustrated mother of three from Lagos. “But now, I don’t even know where to start. The price is crazy! It’s hard for a mother who is struggling to provide for her kids.”
For families that still rely on beans as a meal staple, it has now become a rare luxury. Instead of the everyday pot of beans stew, it’s only served on special occasions or when there’s extra cash in the pocket. It’s not uncommon to hear Nigerians joking about the high cost of beans: “Ah, beans don turn meat now o!”
Garri: The Once-Ubiquitous Staple
Garri, a popular dish made from cassava, is another food item that has seen a sharp rise in price. Traditionally, it has been the meal of choice for many Nigerians, especially during tough times. Whether served as garri and soup, garri and beans, or simply as garri with sugar and groundnut or kulikuli, this starchy, filling dish has been a part of every Nigerian’s childhood.
Garri was once known for its affordability, but today, it’s no longer the go-to meal for many households. A bag of garri as at today sells for between 95 Naira and 125 Naira depending on the region you are based in or the market you are visiting, with some areas seeing even higher prices. The steep rise is attributed to the increasing cost of cassava production and the ever-growing transportation costs that make it difficult for suppliers to keep up with demand.
“My children can’t even afford to drink garri like we used to. I don’t know what’s happening anymore,” says a trader from Abia State. “The price of garri is now so high, I have to ration it. I used to sell garri in large quantities, but now customers complain it’s too expensive. It’s very discouraging.”
Many Nigerians have turned to alternatives like elubo which are are not even affordable anymore but for those who grew up on garri, it’s a painful sacrifice. For some, the thought of a day without garri feels like an erosion of part of their culture.
Cocoyam: A Forgotten Root Vegetable
Cocoyam, another once-popular staple, is not left out of this crisis. Known for its versatility in Nigerian dishes like ikokore and ekpang-nkukwo, cocoyam has been a dependable food source for many families. But with the rising costs of agricultural inputs and the inability to guarantee consistent harvests, cocoyam is slowly disappearing from local markets.
In rural communities where cocoyam was once plentiful and affordable, it is now difficult to come by. The price has doubled or even tripled in some areas. Farmers who once cultivated cocoyam are abandoning it for more commercially viable crops due to the unpredictable weather patterns and the rising cost of farming inputs.
A farmer from Oyo State laments, “Cocoyam used to be something that could feed an entire family, but now, it’s either we can’t find it, or the price is too high. It’s heartbreaking because cocoyam is part of our tradition.”
The Struggles of the Average Nigerian
The Nigerian food crisis is deeper than just the high prices of beans, garri, and cocoyam. It speaks to a wider issue of food insecurity that affects millions across the country. The economic challenges are compounded by escalating inflation rates, high unemployment, and an unstable agricultural sector. As the cost of essential food items continues to climb, the average Nigerian is forced to make difficult choices.
In many households, the traditional meal plan of beans and garri has been replaced with less nutritious, but cheaper alternatives. Instant noodles, rice, and indomie (instant noodles) have now become the go-to meals for many, but these options are neither filling nor as nutritious as the traditional meals they replace. Worse, these quick fixes often don’t provide the energy needed to get through the day, especially for people doing physically demanding work.
For many Nigerians, food has become a luxury. Some families have stopped eating three meals a day, while others rely on food handouts from NGOs or government programs. The hunger crisis is particularly hard on students, as many can no longer afford to buy food in school, and it’s not uncommon to hear reports of children fainting from hunger.
Nigerians Get Creative: How We Are Coping
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Nigerians are nothing if not resilient. Families have found creative ways to cope with the skyrocketing food prices. From food substitutions to meal-sharing, Nigerians have come up with innovative ways to stretch their food budgets.
One popular trend is food swaps: for instance, cassava flour as a cheaper substitute for garri, or beans flour for beans dishes. Another innovation has been to make larger pots of food in order to share with neighbors or even sell to others, creating a community-based solution to the hunger crisis.
But even these coping mechanisms come with their own set of challenges. As food becomes more expensive, there is a rising demand for healthier and more sustainable farming practices, but there is still insufficient support for local farmers to modernize their techniques.
Nigerians need urgent intervention from the government and private sectors to ensure food security. This includes increased investment in agriculture, subsidies for local farmers, and the development of policies that encourage sustainable farming practices. The government must also focus on curbing inflation and creating an environment where essential foods like beans, garri, and cocoyam are accessible to all Nigerians, not just the wealthy.
Nigerians cannot afford to lose their traditional food culture. Beans, garri, and cocoyam were once the cornerstones of Nigerian meals, but with the economic crisis making them increasingly out of reach, many wonder what will happen to these foods in the future. The hope is that through concerted effort and awareness, these once-loved staples can return to their rightful place in Nigerian kitchens.
For now, Nigerians continue to scrape by, finding new ways to survive in a country where food has become a luxury and where the battle to put food on the table feels tougher every day. As the cost of living rises, we can only hope that these beloved foods don’t fade entirely from our plates. After all, in Naija, where food is life, it’s painful to watch the things we grew up with slowly disappear.
