Hardship in Nigeria: How Poor Families Bribe Their Way into Parties Just to Feed

By News24Hours.org | May 27, 2025

As the economic hardship in Nigeria deepens, some poor families have resorted to desperate measures to survive. Investigations by News24Hours.org reveal that families living in extreme poverty now find ways to sneak or bribe their way into parties, all for the sake of getting a decent meal.

These families, who cannot afford to buy enough food for themselves, reportedly target weddings, birthdays, and other social gatherings where they can find leftover food. According to several sources, these uninvited guests, often referred to as “mo gbo, mo ya” (I heard, so I came), are a common sight in many Nigerian communities.

“It’s painful, but that’s the reality for some of us,” said Mrs. Folake, a mother of four who lives in the outskirts of Lagos. “I have to find a way to get into these events because there, I know I can get food for my children.”

Event planners and hosts are also aware of this growing trend. Some admit to turning a blind eye out of compassion, while others have had to hire extra security to control the crowd of uninvited guests.

“It’s very sad,” said an event organizer in Ibadan who requested anonymity. “We see these families come with their kids and line up for food. Some people even give them small money to ‘settle’ them, just to avoid embarrassment.”

Experts say the situation reflects the dire economic circumstances of many Nigerians, with inflation and joblessness forcing families to look for creative — and sometimes undignified — ways to survive.

“It’s a reflection of the bigger problem,” said Dr. Kabiru Suleiman, an economist and social commentator. “When people have to crash parties just to feed, it’s a sign of deep poverty and social neglect.”

Meanwhile, social workers and community leaders are calling for urgent government intervention, urging authorities to prioritize food security, job creation, and social safety nets to address the growing desperation among Nigeria’s poorest families.

As these families continue to navigate these humiliating circumstances, the bigger question remains: how long will this continue? For many, the answer is unclear — and the hardship, unrelenting.

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