The assertion by former presidential aide Reno Omokri that an average Nigerian can survive on N3,000 a day has sparked a heated debate across the country. Omokri made the claim while appearing on a live television programme, where he discussed poverty benchmarks and the rising cost of living. He argued that economic realities must be considered within their local context, noting that N3,000 a day would represent poverty in the United States but could have a different purchasing value in Nigeria.
However, Omokri's argument has been challenged by many Nigerians, who question what constitutes the cost of living. Josef Onoh, former South-East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, questioned the claim, pointing out that N3,000 a day amounts to N90,000 a month, but that the calculation changes considerably when the money is meant to support a household. For a family of five, Onoh noted, N3,000 a day would amount to only N600 per person.
The National Bureau of Statistics' Cost of a Healthy Diet methodology illustrates the difference between the cost of food and the full cost of living. The NBS defines the measure as the least expensive combination of locally available foods capable of meeting healthy dietary requirements. However, the agency notes that the measure represents only the minimum cost of a healthy diet and excludes transportation and meal preparation.
For many Nigerians, N3,000 a day is not enough to cover basic expenses, including transportation, food, and other daily requirements. A Lagos worker, for example, may spend a substantial portion of N3,000 on transportation alone. Social media users have also reacted to the debate, itemising the expenses confronting a student, including data, breakfast, dinner, and transportation, and arguing that the total could easily exceed N3,000 in a single day.
The reactions of ordinary Nigerians capture an important dimension of the controversy: they are not looking at N3,000 merely as the price of a plate of food, but against the totality of their daily expenses. A commuter may spend a substantial portion of the money getting to work and returning home. A student may need data, food, and transportation. A trader may have to move goods. A parent may have to provide for children.
The situation is different across Nigeria, with housing, transportation, food prices, and access to basic services varying considerably between states, cities, and rural communities. This makes the phrase "average Nigerian" difficult to apply uniformly. The average Nigerian does not live in a market where only food is purchased, but also lives somewhere, moves around, pays for energy and communication, and may have children, elderly relatives, or other dependants.
The pressure is also reflected in Nigeria's wage debate, with labour leaders repeatedly arguing that the N70,000 national minimum wage does not adequately reflect the country's current cost of living. The distinction between surviving and living becomes important, as a person can survive on less than what is required for a decent standard of living, but that does not necessarily demonstrate that the money involved is sufficient for a decent life.
Key points
- Omokri's claim that an average Nigerian can survive on N3,000 a day has been challenged by many Nigerians.
- The cost of living in Nigeria varies considerably between states, cities, and rural communities.
- The National Bureau of Statistics' Cost of a Healthy Diet methodology excludes transportation and meal preparation, highlighting the difference between the cost of food and the full cost of living.
