Sarah McCammon

That's NPR's Raphael Nam. Thank you so much.

That's NPR's Raphael Nam. Thank you so much.

In Nigeria, the holidays are less festive this year as the country is in the grip of one of its worst economic crises in decades. The government imposed a set of controversial economic reforms that critics say have only made poverty worse. And despite recent quarters of economic growth, inflation has soared. NPR's West Africa correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu joins us now. Hi there.

In Nigeria, the holidays are less festive this year as the country is in the grip of one of its worst economic crises in decades. The government imposed a set of controversial economic reforms that critics say have only made poverty worse. And despite recent quarters of economic growth, inflation has soared. NPR's West Africa correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu joins us now. Hi there.

In Nigeria, the holidays are less festive this year as the country is in the grip of one of its worst economic crises in decades. The government imposed a set of controversial economic reforms that critics say have only made poverty worse. And despite recent quarters of economic growth, inflation has soared. NPR's West Africa correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu joins us now. Hi there.

So just paint a picture for me. How difficult is the economy for people right now?

So just paint a picture for me. How difficult is the economy for people right now?

So just paint a picture for me. How difficult is the economy for people right now?

Yeah, just an absolutely tragic example of how these economic struggles are hurting people. But what is the underlying cause of the economic situation?

Yeah, just an absolutely tragic example of how these economic struggles are hurting people. But what is the underlying cause of the economic situation?

Yeah, just an absolutely tragic example of how these economic struggles are hurting people. But what is the underlying cause of the economic situation?

So, Emmanuel, what is the government doing to soften that blow that you just mentioned for the people in Nigeria?

So, Emmanuel, what is the government doing to soften that blow that you just mentioned for the people in Nigeria?

So, Emmanuel, what is the government doing to soften that blow that you just mentioned for the people in Nigeria?

NPR West Africa correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu, thanks so much.

NPR West Africa correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu, thanks so much.

NPR West Africa correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu, thanks so much.

And that's Up First for Thursday, December 26th. I'm Sarah McCammon. For your next listen, why not consider Consider This from NPR. We here at Up First give you the three big stories of the day. Our Consider This colleagues take a different approach. They dive into a single news story and what it means for you in just 15 minutes. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

And that's Up First for Thursday, December 26th. I'm Sarah McCammon. For your next listen, why not consider Consider This from NPR. We here at Up First give you the three big stories of the day. Our Consider This colleagues take a different approach. They dive into a single news story and what it means for you in just 15 minutes. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

And that's Up First for Thursday, December 26th. I'm Sarah McCammon. For your next listen, why not consider Consider This from NPR. We here at Up First give you the three big stories of the day. Our Consider This colleagues take a different approach. They dive into a single news story and what it means for you in just 15 minutes. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.