As Christmas approaches, the tradition of enjoying a festive meal of chicken and rice is deeply ingrained in Nigerian households.
However, in recent years, many families have adjusted their shopping habits to combat the soaring prices that often accompany the holiday season.
In an effort to save costs, Nigerians are increasingly purchasing live chickens ahead of the Christmas rush, bypassing the expected price hikes that accompany the festive period.
Mrs. Morenikeji Ayodele, a civil servant, shared how she has already secured her Christmas chickens well in advance. Last weekend, she bought two large live chickens at N20,000 each, a price she knows will rise significantly closer to Christmas.
“I thought it wise to buy my Christmas chickens before the D-Day,” she explained. “I know that on that day, these chickens I bought for N20,000 each will be sold for at least N30,000 to N35,000.”
Mrs. Ayodele is no stranger to the impact of inflation during festive periods, where traders often inflate prices to take advantage of the increased demand.
For her, buying early ensures she avoids paying exorbitant prices, which can make the holiday budget stretch further.
“Markets in our country operate in a way that you just know the prices will go up as the holidays approach. So, planning ahead and purchasing what I need early is the best way to avoid unnecessary costs,” she added.
The strategy of buying live chickens earlier is also being embraced by others, especially those who prefer to raise their own birds. Mr. Ogbonna Okosi, a tricycle driver, bought three chicks in October and has been rearing them for Christmas.
This method, suggested by a friend, involves purchasing chicks at a lower cost and raising them until they are ready for the holiday feast.
“I gave the chicks to a friend to raise for me, paying him just N3000 per month for their feed,” Mr. Okosi said.
“In total, I’ll spend less than I would if I had bought fully grown chickens, which now cost around N1,500 each in the past, but are now being sold for a lot more.” This approach, while time-consuming, allows him to beat the price hike by getting the chickens at a lower overall cost.
For those without the time or resources to raise their own chickens, pooling resources with friends or family is another popular strategy.
Mr. Felix Shogbamu, a tailor, shared that he and his roommate bought a large chicken for N15,000, choosing to team up to keep the cost manageable.
Neither of them plans to travel for Christmas, so buying the bird together ensures they can enjoy the holiday meal without the steep price tag.
“We just purchased a very big chicken yesterday for N15,000,” Mr. Shogbamu said. “This method works well for us, especially since we don’t have to bear the full cost individually.”
The trend of buying early reflects broader economic challenges in Nigeria, where inflation during festive periods can make essential goods and services unaffordable for many families.
By purchasing live chickens in advance or rearing them on their own, Nigerians are finding creative ways to enjoy their holiday traditions without breaking the bank.
As the festive season nears, it is clear that many Nigerians are taking proactive steps to ensure their Christmas celebrations remain joyful and affordable despite the economic pressures that come with the season.
