In a candid revelation that blends personal philosophy with stark economic reality, a Kano-born entrepreneur has shared the unconventional reasoning behind his decision to marry five wives while detailing his daily struggle for survival in Nigeria's challenging economy.
From Kano to Warri: A Journey for Survival
Ibrahim Yahaya, a 45-year-old father of nine, left his family behind in Kano two years ago to seek better opportunities in Warri, Delta State. The mammy market vendor, who specializes in selling fried yam and chicken, made this difficult migration hoping to escape the economic pressures that had crippled his previous provisions business in Northern Nigeria.
"I came to Warri to hustle," Yahaya stated plainly during an exclusive weekend interview, his words echoing the desperate migration pattern of many Northern Nigerians seeking economic refuge in the South-South's oil-rich regions.
Multiple Marriages as Emotional Insurance
When questioned about his family life, Yahaya revealed he maintains five wives and nine children—four girls and five boys—who all remain hundreds of kilometers away in Kano along with his elderly parents.
His explanation for his polygamous lifestyle was both practical and protective. "There is no need to marry just one wife," he asserted with a definitive shake of his head. "If you have one wife, she can cheat on you and break your heart, so I decided to have five of them."
Economic Reality: From Profit to Bare Survival
Yahaya didn't hesitate to compare the current administration with the previous one, stating unequivocally that Nigeria was far better when Buhari was president compared to now under President Tinubu's leadership.
The vendor provided concrete examples of the inflationary spiral crushing his business. "When Buhari was in power, the fried chicken that I sell for N500 now was sold for N100 and N200," he lamented.
Even his basic ingredients have become prohibitively expensive. "The yam that was N3000 to N5000 during Buhari time, is now N10,000 to N15,000," Yahaya explained, detailing how this triple cost increase has forced him to raise prices while still struggling to break even.
The economic pressure extends to his family responsibilities. "What I send home to them is barely enough to feed but we are managing," he confessed, highlighting the painful gap between his earnings and his family's needs.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Yahaya maintains a determined outlook. "We can't stop hustling because we don't want to go hungry, that is why we are still managing things the way we see them."
He ended with a stark warning to authorities: "The government should do something before people start falling down on the streets due to hunger and high cost of living."
