“If You Earn Below N300k In Abuja, You Are Not Different From Almajiri” — Usman Okai

Image: IG 

 

 

Political activist Usman Okai Austin has criticised the growing cost of living in Nigeria, saying workers earning less than N300,000 in Abuja are struggling to maintain a decent standard of living.

 

Okai made the comment while highlighting the financial challenges faced by workers in the Federal Capital Territory, where the cost of accommodation, food and transportation has continued to put pressure on household incomes.

 

“If you earn below N300k in Abuja, the difference between you and Almajiri is the plate,” Okai said.

 

The comment draws attention to the gap between workers’ earnings and the cost of meeting basic needs in Abuja. For many residents, monthly salaries are quickly consumed by essential expenses, particularly rent and transportation.

 

Abuja remains one of Nigeria’s most expensive cities to live in, with housing costs taking up a substantial part of the income of many workers. Those who live far from their places of work also spend heavily on daily transportation, adding to the financial burden.

 

Food prices have also become a major concern for households. Workers have to budget for staple foods and other necessities while dealing with additional expenses such as electricity, healthcare, school fees and family responsibilities.

 

The situation is not limited to Abuja. In cities such as Lagos, workers on modest incomes are also dealing with high rent, transportation costs and rising prices of food and other household items.

 

For employees earning below N300,000, meeting these expenses can leave little room for savings or unexpected costs. A salary that may appear reasonable on paper can quickly be exhausted by the time basic monthly obligations are settled.

 

Okai’s remark therefore brings the issue of wages and purchasing power into focus. While nominal salaries may remain unchanged, the amount workers can actually buy with their earnings has fallen as the prices of goods and services continue to increase.

 

The situation has placed additional pressure on individuals and families who depend mainly on monthly salaries. Many workers are now forced to make difficult choices between competing needs, particularly where income is fixed but expenses continue to rise.

 

The debate over what constitutes a decent income in Nigeria has also become more important as the cost of living changes. For workers in major urban centres, salary levels are increasingly being measured against the actual cost of housing, feeding, transportation and other necessities rather than the figure on the payslip.

 

Okai’s statement captures that reality in blunt terms, drawing attention to the difficulties faced by workers whose incomes have not kept pace with the rising cost of living.

 

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