In spite prevailing economic hardship across the country Nigerian Christians join their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s Christmas.
The season comes with travelling, cooking of special delicacies, buying clothes for children, subscribing to infrastructure such as Christmas trees and other decorations, buying hampers and special gifts for loved ones, among others.
But this year, not many people are smiling. The galloping inflation in the country indicates that, for many people, this Christmas comes with mixed feelings.
Findings by our correspondent showed that a good number of Nigerians still embarked on travelling to celebrate with their loved ones even though the cost of transportation is very high.
The removal of fuel subsidies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023 and subsequent increase in the price of petrol led to an increase in transportation fares.
Consequently, some people have opted to send money to loved ones at home instead of travelling to villages for Christmas.
However, many Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs defied the harsh socio-economic situation as they trooped into motor parks in large numbers to reunite with families and friends, especially those who can afford exorbitant transport fares.
Expectedly, drivers are using the opportunity to increase their fares to different parts of the country, particularly southern states.
Findings by this media revealed that commercial 18-seater buses have increased fares by over N10,000 to N15,000 per seat.
Trips to different states in the Southeast and South-south, which initially cost between N20,000 and N25,000, now cost between N30,000 and N35,000, respectively.
A trip from Abuja to Enugu State costs N35,000, Port Harcourt – N40,000, Lagos – N45,000, and Ilorin – N25,000.
The general economic situation in the country has made food items unreachable to many Nigerians who only take solace in divine provisions and help from unknown direction.
