01/08/2026
N20, N50, N100, nothing to buy
For many Nigerians, N10, N20, N50 and N100 notes were once enough to buy snacks, pay transport fares or purchase everyday household items.
Today, however, those same notes have become symbols of naira’s declining purchasing power as inflation continues to erode their value.
Across markets, roadside kiosks and supermarkets, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find goods that cost N50 or N100. Many traders now regard the notes as inconvenient, while some businesses have stopped stocking products at those price points altogether.
What can these lower denominations buy today?
A visit to several retail outlets shows that N50 now buys very little, as in most urban centres, it may only be enough for a sachet of drinking water, while in some locations, it would only buy one or two sweets or chewing gums, a small nylon bag or other low-value items sold in bulk.
