By Isaac Mission
Former Southeast spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge Onoh, has rejected the claim that an average Nigerian household can comfortably survive on a daily budget of ₦3,000.
Onoh described the figure as unrealistic, arguing that it fails to reflect the rising cost of living and the financial demands confronting families across the country.
He made his position known in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, where he responded to comments attributed to socio-political commentator and ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri.
According to Onoh, ₦3,000 per day translates to approximately ₦90,000 monthly. Although the amount is higher than Nigeria’s ₦70,000 national minimum wage, he argued that it cannot be used as a reliable measure of household affordability without considering family size and essential expenses.
₦3,000 Cannot Sustain a Family of Five, Onoh Says
The former lawmaker questioned the practicality of applying a daily allowance of ₦3,000 to an entire household.
He explained that a family of five would effectively have about ₦600 per person each day, which he said would be insufficient to provide three meals daily while also paying for education, clothing and healthcare.
Onoh argued that treating an average Nigerian as an individual economic unit overlooks the realities of families that depend on a single income or support multiple relatives.
He further referenced data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on the rising cost of a healthy diet, noting that food expenditure represents only one part of the financial pressure on households.
Food Prices and Other Expenses Add to Hardship
The former Southeast spokesperson said the cost of essential commodities had continued to affect the purchasing power of Nigerians.
He pointed to the rising prices of tomatoes, pepper, rice, beans and other food staples in major markets as evidence of the challenges confronting households.
Beyond feeding, Onoh listed cooking fuel, potable water, transportation and other daily necessities as additional expenses that reduce the amount families can spend on food.
He also noted that the cost of living differs across regions.
According to him, rural households involved in subsistence farming may face different financial conditions from residents of major cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
However, he maintained that urban families often have to contend with transportation fares, fuel expenses and energy costs before meeting their food needs.
Minimum Wage Alone Does Not Tell the Full Story
Onoh also questioned the use of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage as the basis for determining whether ₦3,000 is enough for daily living.
He argued that the share of income devoted to food could leave low-income families with little money for other necessities, including school fees, medical care and savings.
The former lawmaker said the economic situation of households should be assessed using broader indicators rather than relying on a single daily spending figure.
He urged policymakers and public commentators to consider the realities of Nigerian families when discussing affordability and living standards.
Onoh Calls for Greater Attention to Citizens’ Welfare
Onoh stressed that the welfare of Nigerians should remain central to government policies and public discussions.
He said the financial difficulties faced by households should not be dismissed or reduced to calculations that fail to account for the actual cost of meeting basic needs.
“The welfare of Nigerians must be treated as a priority of any responsible government and its representatives, and not a privilege,” he said.
His comments add to the ongoing national debate over the cost of living, minimum wage and the ability of Nigerian families to cope with rising prices of essential goods and services.