‘N5,000 Now Buys Only Tomatoes, Pepper’ — Actress Ruth Kadiri Decries Rising Cost Of Living

Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Ruth Kadiri, has decried the rising cost of living in Nigeria, lamenting that the soaring prices of food items have made basic feeding an unbearable burden for many households.

Speaking in a video shared on her official Instagram page on Wednesday, the actress said the worsening economic situation has become emotionally overwhelming, adding that even those who are relatively comfortable were beginning to feel the strain.

Kadiri expressed concern over the disconnect between the cost of essential commodities and the earnings of ordinary Nigerians, noting that a significant portion of monthly income is now spent on purchasing basic cooking ingredients.

“As a human being, I’m not known for complaining. But the past couple of days have been so troubling for me. If somebody like me can start to feel the heaviness of being a human being, I wonder what other people are going through,” she said.

The filmmaker highlighted the soaring prices of tomatoes and pepper, describing the situation as alarming.

“The cost of tomatoes is now so high. Like, somebody will use N5,000 to buy pepper and tomato. Like, N5,000. While somebody else out there is probably earning 25, 30, 40, N50,000. But you are only using 5,000 to buy tomatoes and peppers. A basket of tomatoes, we don’t even want to say that. You know, the cost of feeding, which is basic in Nigeria, is now so high,” she lamented.

Kadiri also warned that prolonged economic hardship could have serious psychological and social consequences, arguing that financial pressure often fuels frustration and tension within families.

According to her, poverty has the capacity to erode people’s mental well-being and push them into misplaced anger directed at loved ones.

“I don’t know if they want us to turn against ourselves because people who are not sensitive will begin to see each other as the enemy. Poverty is like cancer to the mind; it eats away at people’s reasoning. I woke up this morning feeling sober and sad for people who don’t know what to do.

“A lot of people will just be angry for no reason, angry at their wives, angry at their children, angry at their husbands. It’s heartbreaking,” she added.

Kadiri’s comments add to the growing list of celebrities expressing concern over Nigeria’s economic challenges. Earlier this year, Nollywood actor Kunle Remi also criticised the country’s worsening economic conditions and rising fuel prices, urging Nigerians to take greater interest in political and governance issues affecting their daily lives.