A Nigerian woman who recently returned from the United Kingdom has expressed shock at the skyrocketing cost of living in Nigeria, questioning how ordinary citizens manage to survive amid the economic challenges.
From UK Comfort to Nigerian Reality
The lady, identified as Melissa Oti on TikTok, shared her experience in a viral video that has sparked widespread discussion among netizens. Having lived in the UK before her return to Nigeria, she highlighted the stark contrast between both countries' living standards and expenses.
Melissa revealed that despite carefully tracking her expenses using an Excel spreadsheet, she consistently exceeds her monthly budget, leaving her wondering if she's being extravagant with her spending. "My budget for each month, I find myself exceeding it. Is it just me? Because I don't understand what is going on. Am I being extravagant? Am I not budgeting well?" she questioned in the video.
The Car Repair Shock and Missing Insurance Benefits
One of the most significant financial shocks came when she had to pay a substantial amount out-of-pocket for car repairs. Unlike in the UK where insurance would have covered such expenses, she had to bear the full cost herself in Nigeria. The situation was compounded by additional pending repairs, including a broken phone screen that would require more spending.
The returnee also expressed concern about food costs, noting that "I have been spending way more than that I used to spend in the UK on feeding." Her daily expenses continue to balloon despite her efforts to maintain financial discipline.
Fuel Costs and Maintaining Standards
Another area of concern for Melissa has been the cost of fueling her car in Nigeria. She explained that she maintains a certain standard of living that she was accustomed to in the UK and finds it challenging to adjust to Nigeria's economic realities while trying to preserve her lifestyle.
When comparing Nigeria's minimum wage to her basic expenses, Melissa noted that "the maths does not correlate," raising questions about how minimum wage earners cope with the same market prices she encounters.
The video has attracted numerous comments from Nigerians sharing similar experiences and offering advice. One commenter, Ny Nana, bluntly stated: "Nigeria is expensive ooooooooooooo don't be deceived, band a and feeding will send you back to the uk."
Another commenter, Eshaq V Dabari, shared a different perspective, detailing how careful preparation before relocating made their return to Nigeria manageable. They mentioned purchasing and furnishing a house, installing solar power, importing a car from the US, and doing bulk food shopping for the year as strategies that made their transition successful.
The discussion comes amid growing concerns about inflation in Nigeria, with many citizens expressing frustration about the rising cost of basic commodities and services across the country.
