Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has condemned the rising cost of living in Nigeria, blaming the government for failing to address the compounding economic pressures faced by citizens.
In a strongly worded statement, Sowore highlighted a sharp increase in electricity tariffs, taxes, fuel prices, customs and excise duties, transportation fares, telecom charges, school fees, and rental costs. He argued that the collective weight of these economic burdens is pushing ordinary Nigerians into deeper poverty and insecurity.
"From power bills to petrol, from bank charges to school fees—everything is going up, except the quality of life. What we are seeing is a nation being choked by its own policies," Sowore said.
He added that the economic hardship is directly contributing to Nigeria’s rising insecurity and declining life expectancy, as many families can no longer afford basic necessities, healthcare, or education.
Sowore criticized the government’s economic management, accusing officials of prioritizing revenue generation over citizen welfare. "These hikes are not reforms; they are punishments on the people," he said.
The activist also called for urgent reforms and more people-centered policies to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. "Leadership should not be about extracting more from the poor, but about protecting them from the shocks of a broken system," he added.
His comments come amid growing discontent across the country, with many citizens protesting what they describe as "economic suffocation" under current fiscal and energy policies.
