Mamaput Users Lament Rising Food Prices Across Nigeria

 

Many Nigerians who majorly patronize local food vendors popularly known as “mamaput" have expressed frustration over the continuous rise in the food per plate, saying that affordable meals are becoming increasingly out of reach for low-income earners.

Our findings across the several states showed that the cost of a meal at any local food joint has risen recently, reason being attributed to inflation, rising fuel prices, unstable transport fares and insecurity preventing farmers from going to farms.

In Utako, Abuja, Mr. James Okafor said a meal that previously sold for about ₦1,000 now cost between ₦1,700 and ₦2,000 in many locations.

 “The price of food in mamaput outlets is increasing very fast. This is where ordinary people usually buy affordable meals, but now a plate that used to cost ₦1,000 is selling for as much as ₦1,700 or even ₦2,000" Okafor  lamented.

Another resident, Samuel Gambo from Jabi, Abuja also corroborated that  a typical meal now costs about ₦1,700, describing the increase as significant compared to previous years with workers' income.

A food vendor, Nnkiru Okoro attributed the situation to the rising cost of transportation of food supplies in general.

 “The cost of getting food items to our locations is very high. Fuel prices had affected transportation, and all these are factors that added to increase food prices. she explained. Okoro said.

In Lagos, Lawal Dolapo, Technical Head of Young Farmers of Nigeria (YoFiN) noted that although prices have increased, some areas such as Festac still offer relatively affordable meals.

 “With about ₦2,000, a person can still get a filling meal. Rice alone may cost around ₦1,000, beans ₦400, while pepper rice could cost about ₦600,” he said.

Similarly, Ahmed Maldini, a resident of Apapa, Lagos said meals that previously sold for less than ₦1,000 now go for around ₦1,700.

 “The increase is largely driven by fuel costs, multiple levies, and insecurity, all of these impacted on food prices" Maldini stated.

However, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Azeez Ade said food remains relatively affordable compared to larger cities.

 “With ₦1,000, you can still eat comfortably. Fufu costs about ₦200, while meat sells for around ₦500 in many places within the town and around the campus,” he said.

In Anambra State, Amarachi Ugo reported that food prices in Onitsha now range between ₦1,600 and ₦2,500 depending on the outlet and meal type.

 “A plate of rice with one piece of meat used to cost about ₦600. Today, they charge ₦1,600 for the same meal, while more upgraded mamaput outlets charge as much as ₦2,500,” she explained.

In Port Harcourt, Nnwachukwu Lloyd said meals costing around ₦1,000 are still available in some areas, though prices have generally increased.

In Kano State, Abu Sabi reported that meals in the Sabon Gari axis now cost between ₦1,500 and ₦1,600, depending on food choice. He also noted that rising operational costs contributed to the closure of a popular restaurant called " Fifty Naira) because it  could no longer sustain the food supplies.

Meanwhile, Brymix Ayo from Lokoja, Kogi State, said consumers now spend between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 on a meal at local food vendors.

Ayo accused some traders of worsening the situation through excessive price saying that “The market people are just irrationally inflating prices without consideration for others"

The growing concerns highlight the continued pressure of inflation and rising operational costs on Nigeria’s food sector. Stakeholders are calling for urgent measures to stabilize food prices and ensure that low-income households can still access affordable meals across the country.