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I used to think Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt were among the most expensive cities to live in Nigeria until I moved to Ikom in Cross River State. Even though Ikom is more of a town than a city, I’ve been living here for over six months now, and the cost of living has surprised me.
Ikom is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, South-South Nigeria1. The headquarters are situated in the town of Ikom, positioned in the eastern part of the area along the Cross River and the A4 highway at coordinates 5°57′40″N 8°42′39″E. Also, the town borders Nigeria and Cameroon in Southeastern Nigeria.
Covering an area of 1,961 km² (757 sq mi), Ikom had a population of 162,383 according to the 2006 census.
What is Ikom known for?
The people of Ikom are predominantly farmers and major producers of cocoa, bananas, and plantains for the Nigerian market. Ikom is also renowned for the Afi monoliths2, artifacts featuring ancient inscriptions often considered an early form of nsibidi writing.
In this interview, I spoke with residents of Ikom to understand why the cost of living in Ikom is becoming more expensive each day.
Cost of living in Ikom caused by excess demand
Columbus said that the high cost of living in Ikom is caused by excess demand which has exceeded supply. “Too many people buying and too few people producing or rendering services,” he said.
When demand exceeds supply, the most immediate effect is usually a rise in prices. As more consumers compete for the limited supply of goods or services, sellers can charge higher prices, leading to inflationary pressure in the market.
This increase in prices is evident in both food items and transportation in Ikom. “Foodstuffs are expensive,” another said, “compared to frozen foods and transportation which are cheaper here in Lagos.”
Anyanwu agreed that transportation is a contributing factor to the high cost of living in Ikom. “The cost of Transportation contributes 50% to it. While greed has the rest,” he said.
Steve Erek also believes that the cost of living is cheaper in Lagos than in Ikom. “Life is cheaper in Lagos than in Ikom comparatively. The rent that made the difference in the past has been equated recently. Right now Ikom is the most expensive place to live in Cross River,” Erek said.
Gima Tobe told News Round The Clock that the high cost of living in Ikom is also worsened by the unreliable and epileptic power supply in the town.
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While Godwin described this situation as “growing inflation”, Columbus suggested that “everyone should plant and grow basic foodstuffs like pepper, vegetables, tomatoes, etc, to stop the consumption of expensive food like beer, go for sachet milk instead of tin milk, etc, eat iced fish and alternate with meat. Eat local rice instead of imported. Reduce feeding frequency to 1 0 1.”
Ikom is close to the Cameroon border and is a major producer of cocoa
Most people in Ikom believe that the situation is due to Ikom being a major producer of cocoa. Prosper Etta and Skeleceo Ojong said that this rising inflation is common in border areas and associated with the cocoa business in the town.
Condemning the situation, Mayor Agbor said, “What do expect when there are no sustainable regulations by governmental bodies in price control? Inflation is hitting back to back in excuse of cocoa prices. The task force and local government body should rise and get to work. It’s everyone in Ikom that is into cocoa.”
Ikom is the commercial city of Cross River State
A commercial city is known for its busy economy, with many businesses, banks, and trade activities. Interestingly, many people agree that Ikom is the commercial city of Cross River State. James Eku, for instance, said that Ikom has become a commercial city that has accommodated “a whole lot of people and businesses are growing there.”
When our reporter asked him the kinds of businesses, he highlighted them as follows: “Phones and accessories are thriving. Anything about fashion is trending. Hospitality is doing very well. Anything food business is doing very okay because it’s closest to producers and very cheap too. Transportation is growing, they only have difficulty is getting supplies for petrol but it’s moving. Building materials, items of furniture, etc.”
Sam Ofuka also agrees with Eku. “Ikom is a boarder town. It’s also a commercial town of the state.”
Eku opines that foods in Ikom are affordable and tasty. “I can give you all the locations I eat and it might interest you to know that Ikom has the most affordable food prices yet very tasty compared to other cities.” He also added that although the cost of living seems to be on the high side, one can always get an apartment based on one’s budget.
However, the nature of transportation is a defining characteristic of a commercial city. For example, efficient and extensive transportation networks, including roads, railways, airports, and public transit systems, are crucial for supporting the city’s economic activities, connecting it with other regions, and ensuring the smooth movement of people and goods.
In Ikom, the only means of transportation is by motorcycle, with fares starting at 300 naira for any trip within the town. Although the roads in Ikom are well-paved and in good condition, there are no public transit systems, railways, or airports.
- The capital of Cross River State is Calabar and the State has 18 local government areas namely; Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Bekwara, Biase, Boki, Calabar Municipal, Calabar South, Etung, Ikom, Obanliku, Obubra, Obudu, Odukpani, Ogoja, Yakurr, and Yala. ↩︎
- The Ikom Monoliths, originally consisting of around 400-450 engraved standing stones and distributed around thirty communities in the Ikom area of Cross River State, Nigeria, are thought to be up to 1500 years old. The Ikom monoliths are a series of volcanic-stone monoliths from the area of Ikom, Cross River State, Nigeria. The Ejagham may have engraved the monoliths around 200 CE. ↩︎
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