Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has expressed deep concern over the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, particularly the middle class, in the country’s current economic situation.
In an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Amazing Africans, Adichie lamented that many middle-class Nigerians who were previously managing to get by were now struggling to make ends meet and have been reduced to begging.
Her words: “Life has become so hard in Nigeria, and me I can see it. For example, people who were formerly kind of securely middle class, not that life was rosy for them, but they got by are now people who beg and are in need.
”That worries me greatly, the level of suffering, how expensive food has become, ” she said.
Adichie emphasised that the most important political judgment one could make should be based on how ordinary citizens were faring.
”I think the biggest political judgment one can make is about the lives of ordinary people, ” she added.
Adichie highlighted the struggles of those earning minimum wage and the rising cost of food.
While not excusing crime, Adichie noted that when life becomes difficult, people may begin to consider actions they wouldn’t ordinarily contemplate, posing a danger to society.
Adichie also spoke about her writing career, describing writing as a divine gift and her primary purpose on earth.
The writer emphasised that she would have continued writing even if she had never been published.
Adichie shared her experience of receiving 25 rejections for her debut novel, Purple Hibiscus, but never considering giving up on her writing career.
According to Chimamanda, writing is a divine gift, something she considers spiritual and believes to be her primary purpose on earth.
She said, “The thought of quitting writing is never an option for me because writing is my vocation. Writing is really what I believe I am here to do; it’s a bit spiritual.
“I feel that is a gift that I am given, and so even if I hadn’t been published, I would still be writing today. So, the idea of giving up writing was never an option. But it (the rejection) was demoralising,” Chimamanda added.
Adichie’s comments highlighted the growing concern over the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians, particularly the middle class.
Her statements serve as a call to action for policymakers to address the suffering of ordinary citizens and work towards improving the economic situation in Nigeria.
