As the economy continues to strain household budgets, many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic food items, let alone protein sources. The prices of dairy products, fish, meat, and eggs have skyrocketed, making protein-rich foods increasingly unattainable for many.
A kilo of fish now costs between N3,500 and N8,000, while a kilo of chicken ranges from N9,000 to N12,000. Even items like cowhide (kpomo) have seen a sharp increase, with a single piece costing as much as N700, up from just N20 to N50. A crate of eggs, which cost N2,000 last year, now sells between N5,200 and N6,000.
In response, some Nigerians have resorted to buying fish heads as a budget-friendly protein source. Market vendors reveal that fish heads, once discarded or sold cheaply, are now packaged in small portions, ranging from N500 to N1,000. “This is the head of fish that people used to ask to be removed,” shared Mrs. Shade Ayinde, a cold room worker in Lagos, who noted a growing demand from customers looking to add fish heads to their meals.
Fish vendor Mrs. Grace Arogundade recalled her shock when she realized that the fish heads she once assumed were being purchased for pets were actually being eaten by customers struggling to put food on the table. “I wept because this was my very first time experiencing this, and I knew right then that this country was finished,” she said, highlighting the economic hardships facing many Nigerians today.