Posted by Chinenye on Wed 10th Jun, 2026 - tori.ng
Nollywood star Ruth Kadiri has sparked fresh concern after speaking out on the worsening cost of living in Nigeria, describing how basic food items are becoming increasingly difficult for ordinary households to afford.
(Ruth Kadiri. Phot Credit; Punch News)
Ruth Kadiri, a well-known Nollywood actress and filmmaker, lamented on Wednesday that basic food has become an excruciating luxury for the typical Nigerian citizen due to the country's rising cost of living.
The film producer expressed her frustrations in a video posted on her social media page, claiming that the nation's families are suffering greatly psychologically as a result of the current economic situation.
Kadiri emphasized that basic ingredients now account for a sizable amount of disposable income, pointing out the discrepancy between the average Nigerian's monthly income and the present cost of market commodities.
"As a human being, I'm not known for complaining," she remarked. But you see, I've been really troubled during the last several days.
I wonder what other people are going through if someone like me can begin to feel the weight of being a human being.
"Tomatoes are so expensive these days. For example, someone will purchase a tomato and pepper for N5,000. About N5,000. While someone else is most likely making N25, 30, 40, or N50,000.
However, you are merely purchasing tomatoes and peppers with 5,000. We don't even want to mention a basket of tomatoes. You know, food, which is essential in Nigeria, is suddenly quite expensive.
The actress continued by analyzing how severe economic pressure changes people's behavior and worsens mental health, cautioning that protracted poverty runs the risk of inciting animosity among residents since misdirected resentment is often directed at innocent family.
Kadiri went on, "I'm not sure if they want us to turn against ourselves." "Because those who lack empathy will begin to view us as adversaries."
The effects of poverty on people's thoughts are similar to those of cancer on the brain. It consumes it. I'm sober, but when I woke up this morning, I felt sorry for those who don't know.
"Because many people will just be upset for no other reason. They are furious with their spouses, their wives, and their children. God, oh God.
According to an online report from March 2026, Nollywood star Kunle Remi joined the outrage over the country's economic situation and rising fuel prices, calling the decision to "stay out of politics" the "most stupid statement" any Nigerian could make in the current situation.
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐍𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐬, 𝐏𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫, 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) June 10, 2026
"As a human being, I'm not known for complaining. But you see, the past couple of days have been so troubling for me.… pic.twitter.com/CYT7AWua9p