As the Christmas and New Year celebrations approach, many Nigerians are grappling with the reality of staying put due to soaring transportation costs and economic hardship. For many, the tradition of traveling to spend the holidays with loved ones in their hometowns has become an unaffordable luxury.
Across various regions, citizens shared their struggles with PodiumNews, highlighting the financial burden of travel this season.
Nonye Juliet, a Kaduna resident originally from Owerri, Imo State, expressed her frustration. “Last year, I spent N100,000 traveling to my hometown and back. The fare alone was N17,000, and I paid an additional N8,000 for my luggage during the Christmas rush. This year, fares are already at N27,000, and they will rise as more people plan to travel,” she lamented.
Similarly, Mary Ebong, a Cross River native based in Kaduna, said she had abandoned plans to travel, citing the dual challenge of financial strain and poor road conditions. “Last year, I almost lost my life because of reckless driving on bad roads. I spent over N100,000 on transportation. This year, celebrating Christmas at home is not an option; one can celebrate anywhere,” she said.
In Lagos, a Point of Sale (POS) operator, Favour, shared a different approach. While Christmas travel is off the table due to work commitments, she remains determined to visit her hometown, Ihiala in Anambra State, after the New Year. “I’ll travel in January, whether the economy likes it or not,” she said, displaying resilience in the face of economic challenges.
With the cost of living at an all-time high, many Nigerians are adjusting their holiday traditions, choosing practicality over sentiment as they navigate the tough economic landscape.
