[OPINION] As dollar price rises and fuel subsidy is removed, Nigerian citizens face a cost-of-living crisis

Nigerians are facing a perfect storm of rising costs and limited subsidies. The rising price of the dollar has made it harder for the government to subsidize fuel, which has led to an increase in the price of fuel and transportation. The cost of food has also risen, as it has become more expensive to transport goods to markets. These factors have combined to create hardship for many Nigerians, who are struggling to afford the basics of life. As the price of the dollar continues to rise in Nigeria, businesses are facing a difficult decision. They can either pass on the higher costs to their customers, or absorb the costs themselves and risk seeing their profits shrink.

The cost of the dollar in Nigeria has been fluctuating over the past few months, but in general, it has been rising steadily. In the past year, the exchange rate has gone from around N500 per dollar to around N700 per dollar. This has certainly made life more difficult for many people in Nigeria, as the cost of basic necessities has increased. For those who are already struggling to make ends meet, the rising dollar price has only added to their hardship. Currently, the naira has been experiencing a decline against the dollar due to a number of factors, including high inflation, low oil prices, and a lack of foreign investment. One of the main factors is inflation, which has been running at a high rate in recent years. This has caused the cost of goods and services to increase, and has put pressure on the value of the naira. Additionally, low oil prices have had a negative impact on the Nigerian economy, as oil is a major export for the country. These factors, combined with a lack of foreign investment, have contributed to the depreciation of the naira.

The rising dollar price has a number of effects on people in Nigeria. For example, it makes imported goods more expensive, as they are priced in dollars. This can lead to an increase in the cost of basic necessities such as food and medicine. Additionally, it can make it more difficult for people to send money to family members or friends abroad, as they have to pay more for the conversion to dollars. It also can lead to a loss of purchasing power for those who are paid in naira, as their wages are worth less when converted to dollars.

The rising dollar cost is interconnected to subsidy removal in a few ways. For one, the rising cost of the dollar has made it more expensive for the government to subsidize fuel. This has led to the decision to remove the subsidy, which has in turn led to a rise in the price of fuel. The rising price of fuel has had a knock-on effect on the cost of goods and services, as businesses have had to pass on the increased cost to consumers. The situation is further complicated by the country’s dependence on imported goods and the limited development of domestic industries. All of this is creating a vicious cycle of poverty and economic instability.

To address the interconnected issues of the rising dollar cost and economic instability, a combination of short-term and long-term solutions could be implemented. First, the government could introduce targeted cash transfers to help the most vulnerable families weather the rising costs. They could also introduce price controls on essential goods to limit the impact of inflation. second, the government could focus on investing in infrastructure and skills development to increase productivity and create jobs. Third, to find alternative sources of funding for subsidies, such as international aid or increased taxation. Another option is to focus on diversifying the economy, so that it is less reliant on fuel subsidies. Finally, there is the possibility of increasing social safety nets and welfare programs to help mitigate the effects of rising costs on the most vulnerable members of society.

Fadeela Mustapha Lawan wrote from department of Mass Communication, Borno State University.