As Nigeria faces rising inflation and economic instability, once-common staples like beef, tomatoes, and bread have turned into luxury items for many families. The economic pressures have pushed households to make significant adjustments to their diets and cooking habits, turning to more affordable, traditional alternatives.
Comfort Soberekon, a 47-year-old mother of six in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has witnessed this shift firsthand. Chicken and beef, once staples in her family’s meals, have now become occasional treats. “Ponmo is the way o,” Comfort quips, referring to cow skin, which has now replaced meat as her family’s primary source of protein.
Comfort’s circumstances reflect the broader struggle facing many Nigerian families. Her eldest son, now pursuing a career in fashion, and her eldest daughter, employed in Delta State, have moved out, leaving Comfort to care for her remaining four children on a tight budget. The once-frequent Sunday tomato stew has disappeared from her kitchen, as the price of tomatoes has doubled.
In response, Comfort has developed a new recipe—a ‘special palm oil sauce’ made with peppers, onions, and garden eggs, occasionally enhanced with crayfish and seasoning cubes. This simple dish is emblematic of the creativity and resilience many Nigerian families are showing in the face of economic hardship.
Across Nigeria, food vendors like Mama Amala in Ogun State are also adapting. With beef and goat meat becoming too expensive for most customers, ponmo has become a popular, affordable alternative. Similarly, at Magboro Market, vendors like Suleiman Ibrahim have shifted from selling tomatoes to cucumbers and garden eggs as substitutes.
In addition to food, rising gas prices have led many Nigerians to revert to charcoal stoves. Charcoal, though less convenient and more labor-intensive, offers a cheaper and more accessible cooking method. Charcoal sellers, once catering primarily to grilling businesses, are now seeing a surge in household demand.
Despite the practical benefits, the return to charcoal also raises concerns. Environmentalist Dr. Ahmed Suleiman warns that the increased use of charcoal contributes to indoor air pollution and deforestation, highlighting the need for a long-term solution to Nigeria’s energy challenges.
As Nigeria’s inflation rate remains high, with food and energy prices continuing to rise, families like Comfort’s are finding ways to cope. From substituting ponmo for meat to embracing charcoal stoves, these adjustments underscore the resilience and adaptability of Nigerians in these challenging times. However, experts emphasize the importance of maintaining a balanced diet and considering the long-term environmental impacts of these shifts.
