Cost of Basic Food (Milo, Peak Milk, Rice, Zobo)
2016:
- A tin of Peak milk ≈ ₦138
- Rice (1kg) ≈ ₦239
- Basic food basket ≈ ₦13,000 monthly
- Zobo and beverages were cheap and easily affordable
Now (2026):
- Peak milk ≈ ₦1,058
- Rice (1kg) ≈ ₦2,255+
- Same food basket ≈ ₦97,000
Salaries (Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers)
2016:
- Minimum wage: ₦18,000
- Entry-level salaries (approx):
- Doctors: ₦120k – ₦250k
- Lawyers: ₦50k – ₦150k
- Teachers: ₦30k – ₦80k
Despite being low, salaries could still cover basic living.
Now (2026):
- Minimum wage: ₦70,000
But here’s the problem:
Wages increased by about 289%, while food prices rose over 645%.)
So even if salaries look higher:
- Doctors still struggle with cost of living
- Lawyers face underemployment
- Teachers are heavily underpaid
Cost of Transport (Port Harcourt → Lagos)
2016:
- Road transport: ₦5,000 – ₦8,000
- Fuel was around ₦109/litre
Now (2026):
- Transport: ₦25,000 – ₦40,000+ (depending on season)
- Fuel: over ₦1,000/litre
Transport alone can now take a huge part of monthly income.
Meet Tunde.
Tunde is an average young Nigerian; hardworking, hopeful, and just trying to live a decent life.
Let’s follow him through a normal day.
Morning
2016
Tunde wakes up around 6:30 AM.
He heads to the kitchen. There’s bread, Peak milk, and Milo. Breakfast is simple, but it’s complete. No stress, no calculations, just food.
Transport to work? He grabs about ₦500–₦800 and he’s good to go.
Before stepping out, he feels… okay. Not rich, not comfortable, but stable.
Life is manageable.
Today (2026)
Tunde wakes up at the same time, but things feel different.
Breakfast is no longer automatic.
He pauses.
Should he make tea today… or save it?
Maybe just drink water and eat later.
Peak milk and Milo are no longer “small things”
Transport? He checks his wallet twice.
₦500 can’t even start the journey anymore. Now it’s ₦1,500–₦3,000 depending on distance.
Before leaving the house, he’s already calculating.
Midday
2016
At work, Tunde buys food without overthinking.
₦300–₦500 gets him a decent meal, rice, maybe stew, even some protein if he’s lucky.
He chats with colleagues. There’s laughter. People still complain, but it’s lighter.
At the end of the month, his salary maybe ₦70k–₦120k can:
- Pay rent gradually
- Cover feeding
- Leave small savings
It’s not perfect. But it works.
Today (2026)
Lunch is now a decision.
That same meal now costs ₦1,500–₦3,000 or more.
Tunde sometimes:
- Eats less
- Skips protein
- Or delays eating entirely
At work, conversations have changed.
Less laughter. More complaints. More frustration.
Even if his salary is now ₦150k or more, it feels smaller than his old ₦80k.
Because everything around him has moved faster than his income
Travel is no longer casual.
It’s something I seriously plan, save for, or even avoid.
Evening
2016
After work, Tunde heads home.
Rent, though not cheap, is still within reach. A self-contained apartment is something he can realistically afford over time.
He might stop to buy something small, maybe zobo, maybe snacks without feeling guilty.
There’s room to breathe.
Today (2026)
Tunde heads home but “home” itself is a bigger issue.
Rent has doubled or tripled.
He now Shares his apartment Buying anything extra? That now feels like a luxury.
Even a simple drink like zobo is something he thinks twice about.
Occasional Travel (Port Harcourt to Lagos)
2016
If Tunde needs to travel:
- ₦5,000 – ₦8,000 by road
- It’s affordable with planning
Today (2026)
That same trip now costs:
- ₦25,000 – ₦40,000+
Travel is no longer casual.
It’s something I seriously plan, save for, or even avoid.
Night Reflections
2016
Tunde goes to bed thinking:
“Things are not easy… but I’m moving forward.”
There’s hope. There’s structure.
Today (2026)
Tunde lies down, thinking:
“How do people survive like this every day?”
It’s not just about earning it’s about keeping up.
what do you think about Tunde’s life? Wetin fit end this kind sapa?
