Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri has spoken out about the escalating cost of food in Nigeria, admitting that even she is feeling the financial pressure. In a video that went viral, she expressed concern for average Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of rising prices.
Ruth Kadiri's Sobering Admission
In a rare public statement, Ruth Kadiri described her reaction to the current economic situation as a sober moment. She highlighted that some families now spend as much as 5,000 naira on basic ingredients like pepper and tomatoes, a sum that is a significant portion of many people's monthly earnings.
“If someone like me can feel the impact of the current high cost of living in Nigeria, I wonder what average Nigerians are going through,” she said. Her comments resonated with many Nigerians who shared similar experiences.
The Mental Toll of Poverty
Kadiri also addressed the psychological effects of financial hardship, comparing poverty to a cancer that eats away at the mind. She warned that prolonged economic pressure could lead to increased anger and tension within families.
“Poverty, what poverty does to people's minds is like cancer, it eats away. A lot of people are just going to be angry for the sake of it. Angry at their wives, angry at their kids, angry at their husbands,” she added.
Data Confirms Widespread Struggle
Kadiri's observations are supported by recent economic data. Nigeria's inflation rate rose to 16.06 percent in April 2026, the highest since November 2025, with food prices accelerating for the third consecutive month. Staples such as pepper, beef, yam flour, millet, ginger, garri, and tubers have all seen price increases.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, an adult in Nigeria now needs at least 1,513 naira per day to maintain a healthy diet, a 12.4 percent increase year-on-year. For households earning the national minimum wage of 70,000 naira, this leaves little for other essentials like rent, transport, school fees, or medical costs.
Regional Disparities
In states like Ekiti, Imo, and Abia, the cost of a healthy monthly diet consumes more than 87 percent of the minimum wage. The United Nations projects that 35 million Nigerians will face severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season, with 6.4 million children in the North-East and North-West at risk of acute malnutrition.
A Shared Reality
Ruth Kadiri's remarks have struck a chord with many, reflecting a reality that is no longer abstract for anyone regardless of income level. “If somebody like me can start to feel the brunt of the heaviness of being a human being, I wonder what other people are going through,” she said.
