A chieftain of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Usman Austin Okai, has advised workers in Abuja earning below N300,000 monthly to consider taking up additional sources of income as the rising cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets.
Okai made the call in a Facebook post, blaming the declining purchasing power of the naira for making it increasingly difficult for workers to meet their basic needs from their salaries.
He argued that the cost of living in the Federal Capital Territory had reached a level where workers on relatively low incomes could struggle to afford accommodation, food and transportation.
“If your salary is not up to at least 300k in Abuja, the difference between you and Almajiri is just the plate. Business better alternative now. Our currency is destroyed,” Okai wrote.
The ADC chieftain’s comments come against the backdrop of persistent increases in household expenses across Abuja.
Housing accounts for a significant portion of many residents’ income, particularly in areas such as Wuse, Maitama and Asokoro, where rental costs are relatively high. Residents in districts including Lugbe, Kubwa and Nyanya are also faced with substantial accommodation expenses.
Food costs have similarly placed pressure on household finances, with prices of commonly consumed items such as rice, eggs, bread, tomatoes, cooking oil and chicken rising over time.
Daily transportation has also become more expensive for workers who commute to and from different parts of the capital.
The increase in petrol prices following the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023 has contributed to higher transportation costs, adding to the financial burden on commuters.
The combined effect of higher accommodation, food and transportation costs, alongside the depreciation of the naira, has continued to erode the disposable income of many low- and middle-income earners in Abuja.
Okai’s remarks therefore highlight the growing pressure on workers to supplement their salaries as they struggle to keep pace with the rising cost of living in the nation’s capital.
