Hardship in Nigeria persists (as Nigerians keep enduring), but so does the resilience of its people. Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office, economic struggles have worsened, yet citizens continue to persevere, hoping for better days. Across the country, in the bustling streets and quiet villages alike, a common phrase rings out: Wahala no dey finish.
In this vox pop, we take to the streets to hear directly from the people. We speak to both the literate and illiterate, the hopeful and the hopeless, the weary and the unwavering.
1. Ahmed, 45, Tricyle Rider
“Petrol don cost, my brother. Before, I fit buy fuel and still keep something for my children’s school fees. But now? I dey choose between feeding them well and paying their school money. E no easy, but wetin man go do? Na to wake up every morning and hustle. E go better one day.”
2. Chiamaka, 32, Teacher
“I earn the same salary I was earning two years ago, but prices have tripled. Rent has increased, foodstuffs are now luxury items. I used to cook soups with fish and meat, now I am managing crayfish. But I can’t give up. I teach children every day to believe in Nigeria, so I must practice what I preach. I am just praying that this government will take action and stop making policies that only favour the rich.”
3. Musa, 56, Farmer
“We dey farm, but fertiliser don cost. Rain no gree fall well last year. Transport to carry food go market na another wahala. How we go survive? I don’t know. But we are Nigerians, we no go gree. My family dey manage anyhow, but e no easy.”
4. Kelechi, 27, Tech Worker
“I earn in dollars, so I am lucky. But what about my family members? I have to send money home every week. When I go to the market, I hear people complaining about the cost of garri, rice, and even pure water. People are suffering. The government needs to focus on the right policies. Reducing corruption alone won’t solve our problems; we need proper economic planning.”
5. Mama Nkechi, 61, Market Trader
“I have sold tomatoes for 30 years. Before, with small money, I fit buy basket of tomatoes and make profit. Now, transport money alone fit kill business. Customers dey complain every day. Sometimes, I go home with nothing. But I no fit close my shop. If I no sell, wetin I go chop?”
6. John, 23, Okada Rider
“Before, I fit make ₦10,000 in one day. Now, I struggle to make ₦5,000. The cost of spare parts don increase, fuel price dey kill us, and government no wan hear our cry. But we no go fit die. I dey hustle because I no fit go back village. We believe say e go better.”
7. Rabi, 35, Mother of Four
“I wake up every morning and think about how to feed my children. Before, I dey buy one paint bucket of rice, now I dey buy in cups. School fees? That one na story. But I no fit cry. My husband dey try, I dey try. We must survive. Na God hand we dey.”
8. Ebuka, 40, Civil Servant
“We go to work every day, yet our salaries cannot sustain us. They removed fuel subsidy, yet there is nothing to cushion the effect for the masses. Some people dey talk say make we go into side business, but even capital no dey. Government should fix this economy. We are getting tired.”
9. Tosin, 19, University Student
“My parents struggle to pay my school fees. I do small online jobs to support myself. Things are expensive, from food to textbooks. My dream is to graduate and get a good job, but I just pray Nigeria will still have opportunities by then. We keep pushing.”
10. Adebayo, 50, Security Guard
“I work 12 hours a day, and I still dey struggle to pay house rent. My landlord don increase the rent again. What can I do? Pack go where? If Nigeria go better, e no go better for people like us wey no go school? Na so e be.”
Endurance in the Face of Hardship By Nigerians
From these voices, a clear picture emerges; Nigerians are struggling, but they are enduring. Many acknowledge that things are hard, yet they refuse to give up. They hold on to faith, to hope, to sheer survival instincts.
The Tinubu administration has defended its economic policies, stating that reforms are necessary for long-term stability. However, for everyday Nigerians, the present reality is brutal. Subsidy removal, rising inflation, job scarcity, and currency devaluation have made survival a daily battle.
Yet, Wahala no dey finish. And neither does the Nigerian spirit. Amidst the hardship, people still find reasons to laugh, to hope, to believe that one day, things will get better. They have to—because giving up is not an option.
Final Thought:
The resilience of Nigerians is unmatched, but how long can they continue to endure? The government must prioritise practical solutions, not just political rhetoric. Until then, Nigerians will keep managing, because, truly, Wahala no dey finish.
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