Price Hikes in Benin

So we all know that in Benin, once it comes to price hikes, the law of gravity does not apply. Because what goes up in price, never comes down for any reason. Yeah, you may say, but that is happening all over the country, and you will be correct. But there is just something about this Benin; they like to take everything too far

Here are seven things that have gone up in price but never came down.

Transportation

The transport fares in Benin are crazy. Take Agip, Sapele Road to Ring Road, for example, less than ten years ago, that used to be 50 naira. One fuel scarcity to another saw the fares go up and up as if they are tossing it upwards like the Eben. Now, the same route is 300 naira if you’re lucky.

House Rent

Except if you want to live in the ghetto like Ogida Barracks and Ugbiyoko (no offence to those who reside there), you will find yourself shelling out around half a million a year for house rent.

Tuition

I know I’m going to sound like a complete grandpa but when I was in uni in Benin not up to five years ago, my tuition was less than 20k per year. Nowadays, that will not even cover all the faculty and departmental dues you have to pay during your stay.

Indomie

That popular noodles, Indomie, is the queen of price hikes, and we are tired. Super Pack, one of the size variations, used to be like 50 naira. Now, that thing cost 150 naira more! At this point, noodles are for the rich because three of that Super Pack will not do anything when real hunger mamas you.

Sachet Pure Water

Before the price of pure water became the confusing mess it is today, it was 5 naira for the longest time. Then it was 10 naira and we thought that was it. Nowadays in Benin, pure water is 3 for 50 naira or 20 naira for one.

Jeans

Only ballers buy jeans in Benin, and that’s a fact. A single pair can cost you anything from 10k (if you are lucky) to 50k. And this goes beyond jeans, Benin boutiques, especially those at Forestry, are just so expensive. At this point, it makes a lot of financial sense to travel to Onitsha and buy your clothes yourself because once it crosses that Benin border, forget about it.

Shoes

In the same vein, the prices of shoes in Benin are unbelievably high. At this point, we should all go the way of our white garment brethren because why is one pair of sneakers that are not even great quality costing 50k?

What other items have gone through price hikes in Benin? Comment below.

See what people think of the new naira.