I Was in One of the Biggest Shoprite for 5 Minutes, and I Saw Just Less than 6 People - Paul Ibe

Paul Ibe, the Special Adviser on Media to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current economic situation, revealing how deep the nation’s hardship has bitten into the lives of ordinary citizens.

According to him, the level of economic deterioration has become so severe that even some of the country’s largest retail stores once symbols of Nigeria’s growing consumer culture now stand nearly empty.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Ibe shared a striking personal experience that, in his view, reflects the depth of the crisis confronting millions of Nigerians.

“I was in one of the biggest outlets of the Shoprite group,” he said. “I was there for five minutes and saw less than six people, half a dozen at most. The shelves are thinning out. Things are gradually becoming empty.”

The media aide said the silent emptiness of the once-vibrant store was a powerful metaphor for the shrinking purchasing power of Nigerians. According to him, soaring prices, a plunging naira, and stagnant wages have combined to crush consumer confidence, leaving businesses struggling and families unable to afford even basic necessities.

“It shows how bad things have become,” Ibe lamented. “The economy is strangulating ordinary Nigerians.”

He dismissed the government’s claims of economic growth and stability as “sexed-up figures” that fail to reflect the harsh realities on the ground. “While government officials speak of reforms and recovery,” Ibe argued, “the average Nigerian is facing hunger, despair, and a relentless rise in the cost of living.”

The former vice president’s spokesperson said the disconnection between official statistics and real-life experience has created widespread anger and distrust. He added that the administration’s economic model, built on the so-called “Lagos development template,” is fundamentally flawed and unfit for a diverse country like Nigeria.

“What worked in Lagos cannot work in Sokoto, Borno, Kebbi, or Oyo,” he said. “The economic policies of this administration are detached from the realities of the people. You can’t manage a national economy like a city-state.”

Ibe’s observation about the empty Shoprite outlet has since resonated deeply with many Nigerians on social media, where citizens shared similar experiences of walking into supermarkets only to find deserted aisles, sparse goods, and prices that have tripled within months.

Economists and analysts say the scenario Ibe described reflects the cumulative effect of inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and declining consumer spending. Nigeria’s annual inflation rate, which has remained in double digits for years, recently hit record highs, with food inflation driving millions closer to poverty.

According to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics, the prices of staple items such as rice, bread, and cooking oil have risen by more than 150 percent since 2023. The removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the exchange rate have further compounded the crisis, leading to higher transport costs and worsening living standards.

Ibe also criticized what he described as a lack of empathy from policymakers, noting that many Nigerians now rely on one meal a day while unemployment continues to rise. “People are tired,” he said. “They can no longer afford the basics food, rent, school fees. Yet, those in charge keep telling them the economy is improving.”

He called on the federal government to focus on practical solutions rather than propaganda, urging it to prioritize production, local manufacturing, and social welfare to relieve the suffering of millions.

“The truth is, the economy might be doing well for a few elites in Abuja and Lagos, but for the average Nigerian, survival has become a daily battle,” Ibe stated.

The Shoprite image a once-bustling mall now eerily quiet has since become symbolic of Nigeria’s broader economic decline. Commentators say it represents a society where the middle class is vanishing, businesses are folding, and hope is gradually slipping away.

Despite the gloomy outlook, Ibe maintained that change is still possible if the right policies are implemented with sincerity and accountability. “Nigeria can recover,” he said, “but not with this level of denial and insensitivity.” he said.