Many Nigerians say 2025 was one of the hardest years in recent times, marked by rising prices, insecurity and deep uncertainty. In spite of this, they are looking to 2026 with cautious hope that living conditions will improve.
In Owerri, some residents described 2025 as a year of crippling hardship, especially for people in small businesses and daily trading. A trader, Chinonso Nze, said the economic climate was poor and that surviving the year felt like a miracle for many families.
He blamed the hardship on high inflation and worsening insecurity that made travel dangerous in many parts of the country. According to him, kidnappings and attacks on highways left commuters feeling unsafe and afraid to move freely.
Nze also expressed concern about a new tax regime expected to take effect in 2026, warning that it could further strain already struggling citizens. He appealed to the Federal Government to place the welfare of the people at the centre of its policies to avoid worsening the hardship.
A widow, Mrs Tina Udoka, said widowhood in Nigeria is already difficult and was made even harder by the harsh economy in 2025. She explained that caring for and feeding four children in such conditions was extremely challenging.
Udoka questioned whether governments at different levels have working feedback and welfare systems to identify and support vulnerable groups. She asked what concrete educational and welfare programmes exist for orphaned children and widows who lack steady income.
She admitted she is unsure what 2026 will bring but hopes it will be less difficult than 2025. She urged government to create credible and sustainable employment and empowerment schemes for young people to reduce pressure on struggling families.
Udoka added that it is painful for widows to labour to train their children, only for them to remain unemployed or without support to start small businesses. She said this deepens frustration and undermines the sacrifices made by single parents.
She also criticised what she described as self-centred leadership among many public office holders. In her view, too many leaders focus on themselves, their friends and families instead of serving the wider public, which she said harms the country’s democracy.
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