Well, I appreciate your great analysis. This is impressive especially as someone that's not Nigerian.
In Nigeria, the calories one will burn to even make that N30,000 far exceeds the calories that N30,000 will end up procuring.
The logistics of other factors of daily living such as transportation, electricity bills, medical bills will engulf the minimum wage no matter how much one tries to live humbly. It is rather unfortunate but, employers will use you to your last sweat.
A colleague of mine today asked if I can get a salesgirl for him for N12,000 ($16) per month. The first question I asked is how she'll transport herself to the workplace because if she removes the transport fare, the money would be gone!
I love your analysis and I'm glad to read your views always
My parents in law are Filipino. The wages in the Philippines are also pretty low. However, while my parents pay low wages they always make sure to pay the jeepney (transportation) to and from work and give them a snack and full meal while they are working. To me that seems fair.
However, to pay someone $16/month not really. As you said, how will they pay for transportation? Now maybe if you buy them a bicycle 🤔
Honestly though, 30,000 Naira seems very tough but I'm willing to work on that. N12,000? I'm frugal and like a challenge but that's just not possible.
I'm not sure I agree with not being able to get 60,000 calories for N30,000. I am absolutely positive you can do that albeit with little variety. I'm more curious about being able to budget for cellphone, electricity, water, transportation and housing as well as food for that budget.
I hope you continue reading and giving feedback as I write additional posts on this topic. (This is just the first in a series)
Thanks for your support.