Prominent social activist, Just Adetoun, has voiced her deep concern over the skyrocketing cost of food items in Nigerian markets, following a recent visit to purchase pepper.
In a passionate outburst, Adetoun expressed frustration at how food prices have become increasingly unaffordable for the average Nigerian. She revealed that a bag of tatashe now sells for ₦55,000, while a bag of pepper costs ₦47,000.
“It is not funny anymore. There is fire on the mountain,” she said. “I thought the high prices were due to the Muslim festival, so I went to Mile 12 market multiple times during that period to confirm. But this is beyond that. This is a national crisis.”
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Directing her appeal to President Bola Tinubu and key government officials, she called for urgent intervention from the Minister of Agriculture and other stakeholders, noting that food security is at the heart of national welfare.
“Some people say, ‘This is your father’s government, you should keep quiet.’ But are they sending tatashe to me from Bourdillon? Am I receiving federal allocation for food?” she questioned angrily.
Adetoun further pointed out the impracticality of the proposed minimum wage of ₦70,000, saying it would not even cover basic food needs for a family of four.
“If a family uses ₦55,000 to buy just tatashe, what is left? And people are saying we shouldn’t speak because we know someone in government? This is not about sentiment, this is about survival. Food is essential. Go to the hospital and see what malnutrition is doing to children,” she added.
Lamenting the struggles of ordinary citizens, she concluded: “Someone called me and said, ‘Adetoun, don’t talk.’ But how can I keep quiet when I am affected too? I can only imagine what the less privileged are going through.”