Nigerians Now Pay for Services Once Offered Free

Many everyday services in Nigeria that were once free have now become sources of additional expenses. Prospective tenants in Abuja now face inspection fees ranging from N20,000 to N30,000 to view properties, a shift from the previous norm of free inspections.

Additionally, supermarkets and retailers have begun charging for shopping bags, with some encouraging customers to bring their own to reduce plastic waste. Restaurants have also changed their policies, charging customers for takeaway packs that were previously provided at no extra cost.

Furthermore, Meta has transitioned some services on the WhatsApp Business Platform to a paid model, affecting Nigerian businesses that utilize the platform for customer service. Banks have also started imposing fees on electronic transfers, which were once free, as digital banking has become more prevalent.

These changes reflect a broader trend of increasing costs for services that were once complimentary.