Lagos, Nigeria – The economic hardship in Nigeria has taken a devastating toll on families, forcing women to become the sole breadwinners and relegating their husbands to mere “figureheads”, according to several women who shared their struggles with Newsmen.
“I’m exhausted,” said Mrs. Abiola Dipeolu, a mother of four. “I wake up at 4:00 a.m. every day to start my hustle, and I’m still struggling to make ends meet.”
The women, including mothers and a civil servant, painted a stark picture of the economic reality in Nigeria. They spoke of increased expenses, insufficient income, and lack of financial support from their husbands.
“The economic challenges have rendered some husbands mere figureheads,” said Mrs. Ronke Adu, a mother of three. “We’re doing everything possible to keep our families afloat.”
Many have turned to menial jobs, loans, and even changed careers to put food on the table. “I never thought I’d be selling food to survive,” said Mrs. Busayo Adamolekun, a former fashion designer. “But it’s the only way to make ends meet.”
The women’s struggles highlight the need for urgent economic reforms in Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has promised to address the issue, but the women’s experiences show that more needs to be done to alleviate their suffering.
“We’re not asking for much,” said Mrs. China Okeke, a civil servant and mother of three. “We just want to be able to provide for our families without struggling so hard.”
As the economic hardship continues to bite, the women’s stories serve as a stark reminder of the need for urgent action to address the suffering of Nigerian families.
