Celebrated Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has expressed deep concern over the growing hardship across Nigeria, saying life has become unbearable for many ordinary citizens.
In an interview with Channels Television, Adichie said she is particularly disturbed by how members of the middle class, who used to live modestly, are now struggling to survive.
“Life has become so hard in Nigeria, and I can see it. People who were once managing as middle class are now begging. That worries me greatly,” she said.
She described the current economic situation as painful, noting the sharp rise in the cost of food and basic items.
Adichie argued that the true test of a government’s success is not in stock market figures or economic growth statistics, but in how well the average citizen is doing.
“For me, it’s not about the stock market. It’s about the person earning minimum wage. How is that person surviving in this economy?” she asked.
She warned that the worsening economic condition could lead more people into criminal activity out of desperation.
“When life gets very hard, even people who never considered doing certain things may start thinking about it. That’s dangerous to society,” she said.
Adichie’s comments reflect the growing public frustration over the rising cost of living, inflation, and unemployment across the country. Many Nigerians are grappling with basic survival as the economy continues to bite harder, despite government promises of reforms and relief.
