The reality of 2025 is that ₦10,000 has become the new ₦1,000 in Nigeria. What used to be enough for a small flex is now barely enough to survive for a day or two, especially if you live in Lagos or Abuja. With food prices rising faster than relationship breakups after Valentine’s, it’s only right to ask: what can ₦10,000 still do for you in Nigeria today.
What ₦10,000 Can Still Do (Just Manage It)
Transport Yourself But Carefully:
₦10,000 might cover 3-5 Bolt trips within town — that is if there’s no surge pricing or traffic. One trip from Lekki to Yaba? That’s already ₦4,000 gone. Try a danfo or keke if you want your money to last, but your stress levels might rise with the fare.
Buy Data (And Cry):
A 10GB data plan from MTN or Airtel costs about ₦3,000 to ₦4,000. Once you buy that and top up ₦1,000 airtime, just know your ₦10k is already packing its bags. It will shock you that you can use more than ₦10k in a month for data services.
Eat Street Food for a Few Days:
Bread and egg (₦1,000), small rice and stew (₦1,500), and indomie and egg at mama put (₦800), you can manage two or three days. But if you’re craving shawarma or pizza, o wrong nau.
Do a Mini Soft Life Treat:
You can get a basic pedicure, go to the salon for simple braids, or even see a movie (ticket only, popcorn not included). Choose one, not all. Take it easy, soft life can still be you sitting down in your house and enjoying peace of mind.
What ₦10,000 Can No Longer Do (RIP to the Old Days)
Grocery Shopping:
If you enter the market with ₦10k expecting to buy rice, oil, pepper, and meat — please lower your expectations. One crate of eggs is ₦4,500. A bag of rice? Over ₦50k. ₦10k might only get you tomatoes and vibes…the tomatoes may not be fresh sef. The average family eats more than 10k per day so imagine a person.
Pay NEPA or Rent:
You can’t even recharge electricity with ₦10k and expect the light to last all week. Rent? Just forget it. Even shared apartments will laugh at you.
Rent in Nigeria humbles you fast — two years upfront for a house with leaking roofs.
Just when you recover, NEPA reminds you who’s boss with estimated bills for darkness.
You buy units today, they vanish tomorrow — while your neighbour’s meter never blinks.
In this country, you don’t just pay rent; you pay for wahala with generator bonus.
Shop for Clothes:
Thrift prices are now “boutique-level.” That ₦10k will only get you one vintage shirt or slippers in some places.
Final Thoughts:
In today’s Nigeria, ₦10,000 is no longer a budget — it’s just a backup plan. But Nigerians are built differently. We’re budgeting like accountants, hustling like it’s a sport, and still finding joy in the little things. ₦10k won’t take you far, but with vibes, a prayer, and maybe a side hustle, you’ll still stand tall.
