As food prices are finally falling in parts of Northern Nigeria and residents are celebrating.
In Borno State, the mood in markets is upbeat as essentials become more affordable, sparking hope that better days lie ahead.
In street interviews conducted in Hausa by The News Chronicle, many locals described the recent price dip as a sign of positive change, though some expressed skepticism about its cause and sustainability.
“We’re happy food prices are dropping,” a farmer in Maiduguri said, requesting anonymity. “But fertilizer is still too expensive. It feels like the government is playing games with us.”
Another resident, a civil servant, was more blunt: “This is God’s doing, not the government’s. Under Buhari, they wanted to starve us.”
Despite the optimism, not everyone is smiling. Traders who stocked up at peak prices are now stuck with losses.
“We bought at high prices,” one trader said. “Now, we’re selling at a loss. It’s hurting us.”
The food price relief has brought mixed feelings joy for consumers, frustration for some sellers, and a lingering question: will the trend last?
