The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a stark warning over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, declaring that the country is sliding into a severe cost of living catastrophe driven by policy mismanagement, fiscal irregularities, and weak institutional accountability.
In a strongly worded position, the the national Coordinator of the rights group Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko said Nigeria’s economic indicators now reflect “a nation under extreme pressure,” citing persistent inflation, rising unemployment, and shrinking household incomes as evidence of deep structural distress.
HURIWA referenced data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and independent assessments by the World Bank, noting that food inflation continues to erode purchasing power while pushing millions of Nigerians further into poverty.
The group expressed concern that unemployment and underemployment—particularly among young Nigerians—have reached alarming levels, while small and medium-scale businesses are shutting down due to rising production costs, unstable exchange rates, and weakening consumer demand.
HURIWA also described Nigeria’s fuel pricing situation as a “policy contradiction,” arguing that it is unacceptable for an oil-producing nation to rank among countries with some of the highest petrol costs relative to income levels. The group blamed structural inefficiencies in the downstream petroleum sector and delayed domestic refining capacity for the hardship.
On the power sector, HURIWA said the continued instability in electricity supply has worsened the economic situation, forcing households and businesses into dependence on expensive alternatives such as generators, thereby increasing operational costs and deepening inflationary pressure.
Beyond economic hardship, HURIWA raised serious concerns over what it described as emerging “budgetary governance failure.” The group cited findings attributed to the House of Representatives Nigeria, alleging that capital components of federal budgets have not been fully implemented over successive fiscal years.
It further referenced reports indicating that only about ₦36 million was released out of approximately ₦250 billion allocated to capital projects in the 2025 health budget, describing the situation as “alarming, inexplicable, and suggestive of possible diversion or systemic obstruction of public funds.”
HURIWA warned that continued silence from accountability institutions could deepen public distrust and undermine confidence in governance. It therefore called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to immediately investigate the alleged discrepancies and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
The organisation urged urgent corrective action, including accelerated domestic refining of petroleum products, a comprehensive food security intervention, urgent reforms in the power sector, strict enforcement of budget implementation laws, and expanded social protection for vulnerable citizens.
HURIWA stressed that Nigeria stands at a defining economic crossroads, warning that failure to act decisively could deepen hardship and further erode national stability.
“The Nigerian people cannot continue to endure rising hardship without accountability and measurable governance outcomes,” the group stated.