NAN
Alhaji Abiodun Kosoko blamed rising fuel prices for higher food costs, warning that transport expenses are squeezing traders and increasing hardship for consumers in Lagos.
Kosoko, Baba Loja General of Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, spoke during a visit by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to Ile Epo Market. During the visit, he described a sharp disconnect between foot traffic and actual sales.
He said that although markets still attracted crowds daily, purchasing power had weakened significantly, leaving traders with unsold goods and diminishing returns on their investments.
Kosoko explained that many traders sourced food items from northern and neighbouring states, where production was higher, but transportation to Lagos was increasingly expensive.
According to him, distance, fuel costs, and multiple levies along supply routes all combine to inflate the final prices consumers pay in urban markets.
“People come to buy foodstuffs but leave with less than planned. There are turnouts but no turnover,” Kosoko said.
He warned the trend endangers small-scale traders, who rely on quick sales to avoid perishable losses.
To address these mounting challenges, Kosoko urged the Federal Government to intervene through fuel subsidies or targeted transport support to stabilise prices and protect both traders and low-income households.
He noted a bag of rice, once ₦50,000, now costs ₦56,000–₦58,000, depending on brand and supply.
“It is affecting us, sellers, because some goods spoil if unsold. People now buy in smaller quantities, unlike before,” he added.
Mr Hammed Adekunle, a meat seller, said customers frequently expressed shock at prices, often accusing traders of profiteering without understanding the realities of the supply chain.
He said bargaining had intensified, with some customers trying to cut the price of meat from ₦ 5,000 to as low as ₦1,000.
“They think I inflate prices, but suppliers keep raising costs beyond my control,” Adekunle said.
Adekunle said rising livestock, feed, and transport costs leave meat sellers no choice but to raise prices or risk losses.
Similarly, Mrs Sola Ogunbade, a teacher, said the persistent rise in food prices had forced her to prioritise essential items while dropping others from her shopping list.st.
“Foodstuffs are expensive. I must stick to my budget even if my list isn’t complete,” she said.
She noted that even staple foods such as rice, beans, and vegetables had become difficult for her household to afford in sufficient quantities.
Mrs Mary Chukwu, a mother of three, added that the situation had reduced family meals to basic survival, with little room for nutritional balance or dietary variety.
She explained that her focus was now on ensuring her children did not go hungry, even if meals lacked protein, fruit, or other essential nutrients.
Chukwu urged the government to subsidise fuel and key foods to relieve struggling families.
In line with these difficulties, Mr Funbi Idowu described the Easter period as the hardest his family had experienced, saying economic realities had forced them to scale down celebrations.ns.
“We can’t afford a whole chicken. We will celebrate Easter quietly and hope things improve,” he said.
He added that Easter, once festive, is now marked by careful spending and modest expectations.
