By Shalom Nwachukwu
A decade ago, the APC ascended to power on a crest of populist fervor. The indictment was clear: Nigerians were “suffering” under the status quo. At the time, a single egg cost ₦20, and a crate hovered around ₦550. These figures, modest by today’s standards, were brandished as undeniable evidence of economic rot.
Fast forward to 2026. Under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, those former “symbols of hardship” now look like a lost golden age. Today, a single egg commands ₦250, while a crate has breached the ₦7,000 mark. This represents a staggering 1,150% increase—a hyper-inflationary leap that has transformed a basic protein into a luxury commodity.
An egg is more than a breakfast staple; it is a microscopic view of Nigeria’s macroeconomic fractures. The surge to ₦7,000 per crate is the result of a “perfect storm”: FX instability has sent the price of imported maize and soybeans—the lifeblood of poultry farming—into the stratosphere.
The removal of the fuel subsidy has tripled transport costs, making every kilometer from farm to table an expensive journey. As the Naira hits historic lows, the purchasing power of the average Nigerian has been effectively eviscerated.
Social media offers a dark, comedic shield against the pain. Jokes about an accidental egg breakage being a “dismissal offense” provide a brief respite, but the reality is somber. When families can no longer afford an egg, we aren’t just discussing inflation—we are facing a malnutrition crisis. We are watching a generation of children lose out on the protein essential for physical and cognitive development.
The APC’s original mandate was built on the promise that 2015 was unbearable. Yet, by every measurable metric—fuel, food, and multidimensional poverty—today’s reality is exponentially harsher. Where previous administrations were accused of mismanagement, the current trajectory feels like a freefall.
Political rhetoric and campaign chants are often loud, but market stalls are honest. The blame games of the past have lost their flavor because Nigerians are tasting the data every morning. If 2015 was “suffering,” then 2026 is a struggle for survival.
