Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has expressed deep concern over the growing economic hardship in the country, saying it has reduced many middle-class citizens to the level of beggars.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Amazing Africans, Adichie said she is most troubled by the suffering of everyday Nigerians under the current economic climate.
“Life has become so hard in Nigeria, and I can see it,” she said. “People who were once securely middle class — not that they were rich, but at least they could get by — are now in need and begging. That worries me greatly.”
Adichie noted that the high cost of food and basic necessities has made daily living extremely difficult for most people, adding that a society should be judged by the condition of its ordinary citizens rather than market indices.
“People talk about the stock market — personally, I don’t care about those things. What matters is how the person earning minimum wage is surviving. The level of suffering is terrible,” she said.
While condemning criminal activity, the award-winning writer acknowledged that economic desperation could push people toward decisions they might never have considered under normal circumstances.
“It’s not to excuse crime,” she explained, “but when life gets really hard, people who wouldn’t have previously considered certain things might suddenly become willing to do so. That’s dangerous for any society.”
Adichie also reflected on her journey as a writer, revealing that her debut novel, Purple Hibiscus, faced at least 25 rejections before it was finally published. Despite the setbacks, she never considered giving up writing.
“Writing is my vocation. It’s a spiritual calling for me,” she said. “Even if I had never been published, I would still be writing today. The thought of quitting was never an option, even though the rejections were demoralising.”
Adichie’s remarks come amid widespread concerns over Nigeria’s economic trajectory, with inflation, unemployment, and cost of living continuing to rise. Her comments highlight the growing struggles faced by millions of Nigerians, particularly those in the once-stable middle class.
