Roadside food, which was once the cheapest and fastest option for many people, has now become very expensive. What used to be the go-to place for workers, students, and traders who wanted a quick and affordable meal has turned into a burden. These days, a plate of food from the roadside can cost as high as ₦1,500—and that’s just the food alone, without any meat.
In the past, when you bought food, the price usually covered both the meal and at least a small piece of beef, fish, or chicken. But now, things have changed. Sellers have separated the food from the protein, forcing customers to pay extra if they want any meat with their meal. So, after spending ₦1,500 on rice, beans, swallow, or pasta, you still have to bring out more money just to add one or two pieces of meat.
The prices of meat itself are even more shocking. A small piece of beef or chicken that used to cost ₦200–₦300 is now sold for ₦700 or even ₦1,000 depending on the seller. This means a full plate of roadside food with meat can easily rise to ₦2,000 or more. For many people, that is no longer affordable, especially when you consider that roadside meals were once a cheaper alternative to restaurants.
Because of this, many customers now buy only the plain food and leave out the meat, while others complain that the ₦1,500 food portion itself is not even enough to satisfy hunger. Roadside food, which was supposed to be the easiest option, is slowly becoming a luxury. What should be a simple daily meal has now turned into a heavy expense, showing how much the cost of living has gone up.
