From “Small Christmas” to “Dry Season”: Nigerians Reflect on Changing Face of Easter

By Henry Okonkwo

The Easter season is one of the major holidays Nigerians look forward to. This is because, aside from the religious significance of the season, it also comes with work-free days, merrymaking, travels and family reunions. However, at this time, the celebrations have been dampened as many Nigerians are not as excited as they usually would be. This is due to the harsh economic situation of the country, resulting in many Nigerians opting to stay indoors and avoid the high cost of living.

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For those who live and work in towns and cities like Lagos, Abuja and Enugu, the four-day break from work is an opportunity for them to visit loved ones or take a holiday to luxurious destinations. However, this was not to be as travellers complained of high fares.

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Checks at major inter-state parks in Jibowu and Ikotun axis of Lagos, and at Iwo Road, Ibadan revealed that activities at the garages have been quite poor due to the low influx of travellers. “Transportation fare is too high”, Mr Segun Oni, a traveller, narrated his ordeal at Iwo road. “I wanted to go to my village in Kwara, but when I got to the park, they told me the fare to my town Offa is now N7000 from Ibadan. It used to be N3000. I had to turn back. The fares are just too high at that park joor.”

Also, in bustling areas in Lagos like Surulere, Ago, CMS and Oshodi, many streets and shopping malls remained empty, as residents complained that issues like the rising costs of food, fuel, and other essential goods have put a strain on budgets, which have affected the festive mood of the occasion. Traders at the local markets also noticed an unusual poor patronage in this year’s holiday season.

They confirmed  that there have been lower sales of Easter-related merchandise compared to previous years. “Sales have been low for us because people are just being more cautious with their spending,” said Madam Agatha Ekezie, a vegetable/ salad ingredients seller at Jakande Gate Market. “ Food prices have hit the roof, so many of my customers now prefer to gather money to buy only rice and garri. They don’t care much about nutritious meals like vegetable or fruit salads.”

Erasmus Okoro, another Lagos resident described what celebrating Easter has become for him in Nigeria’s tough economy. “When I was growing up as a little kid, I used to call the Easter celebration ‘Small Christmas’ because it used to be a season of joy, love, merriment, and a season filled with a lot of goodies. But today Nigeria’s economy is in very bad shape. Many Nigerians can’t afford to buy fish, talk more of affording chicken for Easter. Just look around and ask if we’ve ever witnessed an Easter holiday that is this dull before?”

Damilola Oluboh, housewife and mother of four in Mushin, Lagos, while lamenting the hardship in Easter, urged the Government to bring down prices to lower the cost of living. “This year’s holiday is too dry, everywhere is dry due to the hardship persisting in the country. We all are staying indoors, it’s a tough decision especially for the children, because my husband cannot afford the fun, and festivities we used to have during the Easter holidays.

“The Government must address the deteriorating situation in the country where prices of essential commodities are fast getting out of reach for ordinary Nigerians. Many Nigerians could not travel because of the increment in transportation fares by over 100 per cent. It has never been this bad for us common Nigerians. And I plead with the government to help and ease our suffering,” Mrs Oluboh said.

Nevertheless, despite the economic challenges, many are still finding ways to celebrate the holiday and maintain a sense of joy and unity. Some are focusing on the spiritual aspects of Easter, such as attending religious services and reflecting on the holiday’s deeper meaning. Others are getting creative with more budget-friendly activities, such as simple family gatherings without spending on sophisticated food and drinks.

“Yes, it’s a difficult time for most Nigerians, but we’re still determined to make the most of it,” said John Thompson, trader and cleric at the Total Deliverance Church, Ojo-Alaba, Lagos. “Easter is much more than just the material things, what to eat or where to party and celebrate. Easter should be about us reflecting on Christ’s resurrection and its essence in our lives.”