Economic Poverty: Families Now Turn to Fish Heads as ‘Meat’

In today’s Nigeria, where inflation keeps driving up the cost of essential goods, families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic needs, let alone a balanced diet. The rising costs of food and services are pushing many to make tough compromises on their nutritional intake.

Once considered a dietary staple, protein is now slipping out of reach for many Nigerians. The prices of dairy products, fish, meat, and eggs have more than doubled over the past year, forcing families to cut back significantly.

Findings reveal that a kilogram of fish now costs between ₦3,500 and ₦8,000, depending on the species. A kilogram of full chicken is priced between ₦9,000 and ₦12,000, while turkey laps cost around ₦8,000 per kilogram, and chicken laps at ₦6,000 per kilogram. The price of a crate of medium-sized eggs has surged from ₦2,000 last year to between ₦5,200 and ₦6,000.

Even *kpomo* (cowhide), often a low-cost protein source, is no longer affordable, with prices now reaching ₦700 for a thick piece that used to cost between ₦20 and ₦50. In response, some individuals are now buying fish heads—a part once discarded or reserved for food seasoning—as a more affordable protein option.

In Lagos, cold rooms have begun selling small portions of fish heads with minimal flesh for between ₦500 and ₦1,000. Mrs. Shade Ayinde, an employee at a cold room, explains that these fish heads were initially bought primarily by spice and seasoning producers. However, due to increased demand from consumers, the cold room has started portioning fish heads for household use. “This is the head of fish that some people used to ask us to remove when they bought a whole fish,” she said. “Life is tough, and the economy has forced people to downgrade their diets.”

Market fish seller Mrs. Grace Arogundade shared her surprise at the new trend. “I used to think people bought fish heads for their dogs, but recently, I realized they were buying them for themselves,” she said. “Seeing them sold for ₦700 to ₦1,000 at the cold room really made me realize how difficult things have become. It brought tears to my eyes.”

Racheal, a mother of five, relies on fish heads to make meals more nutritious on a tight budget. “My husband left after our last child, so I’ve been managing on my own. With the price of a whole fish over ₦3,000, I can’t afford it. Instead, I buy fish heads and mix them with *kpomo* to give my soup flavor and ensure my children get some protein,” she explained. “It’s not easy, but at least my children and I are healthy—that’s my joy.”

The poverty situation in Nigeria is alarming. The 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicates that 63% of Nigerians, or 133 million people, are considered multidimensionally poor. According to the survey, 65% of these individuals live in the North, while 35% reside in the South. The report highlights widespread deprivations, with many Nigerians lacking access to clean cooking fuel, sanitation, adequate housing, and healthcare.

The World Bank’s 2023 Nigeria Development Update, *Turning the Corner: From Reforms & Renewed Hope, to Results*, further paints a grim picture. It states that Nigeria’s poverty rate has climbed to 46%, up from 40% in 2018, which now means 104 million Nigerians are classified as poor, compared to 79 million five years ago. The report attributes the rise to sluggish economic growth and soaring inflation, pushing 24 million more people below the poverty line.