A Harsh Symbol of Nigeria’s Economic Decline: Reactions as Nigerians starts selling fanta in sachet

In a video that has now gone viral on the social media platform X, Nigerians were seen adapting in the most unexpected way to the country’s unrelenting economic hardship—by selling Fanta in small nylon sachets. This new trend, both heartbreaking and symbolic, has gripped the attention of millions, sparking nationwide conversations about just how far the people have been pushed by rising inflation, unemployment, and a rapidly depreciating currency.

The video was posted by a user identified as @OurFavOnlineDoc and showed a soft drink vendor carefully pouring Fanta from a regular bottle into slim transparent nylons—popularly used for sachet water—and handing it to a customer. What was once a harmless soft drink, a symbol of simple indulgence or childhood delight, has now become yet another item stripped down to the barest minimum, sold in pieces because so many Nigerians simply can’t afford the whole anymore.

"People are now selling sachet Fanta in Nigeria due to the incredible hardship,” the post was captioned, and that single sentence encapsulates the sheer desperation and creativity of a people trying to survive against the odds. The video has since drawn thousands of comments, shares, and reactions, with citizens expressing everything from outrage to resignation, some even choosing humor as a coping mechanism.

A user, @kingberrykarter, shared their own moment of disbelief: “The day I saw they now tie garri in small nylons for sale, na that day I weak for my country.” Another, @iykeinfos, took a more cynical tone: “That’s improvising… we done adjust sharp sharp, so maybe na the next increasement go move Nigerians. Maybe—or they’ll still adjust again. Failed country producing failed people, and people are happily calling themselves proud and patriotic Nigerians.”

What was once unimaginable has now become commonplace. With the current price of a regular bottle of Fanta hovering between ₦500 and ₦700 in many areas, and daily income for many Nigerians still well below ₦1000, buying a bottle of soda is fast becoming a luxury rather than a casual purchase. In a country where many workers live from hand to mouth and struggle to meet basic needs like food, rent, and transportation, soft drinks are now among the items being sacrificed or downsized in daily life.

Still, not everyone agrees with the logic behind the trend. “What nonsense. Must you drink Fanta?” wrote @thealexisJnr. “Why putting it in a sachet? Who says Nigerians don’t have ₦500 to buy Fanta? We are just making things out.” This counter-narrative reflects a division in public opinion—whether this adaptation is a sad reality or an unnecessary dramatization. But in the end, both views trace back to one undeniable truth: the country is in crisis, and the people are fending for themselves.

In a society where basic needs are no longer affordable and citizens are forced to "improvise" almost every aspect of their daily lives, sachet Fanta becomes more than just a drink—it becomes a metaphor. A symbol of how something whole must now be rationed, diluted, and shared because the system has failed. And yet, it also stands as a testament to Nigerian resilience and the relentless drive to survive, even when the odds are stacked against the people.

Since 2015, Nigeria has witnessed an economic rollercoaster defined by inflation, fuel subsidy removals, naira devaluation, and a rising cost of living. Salaries have remained largely stagnant, while the prices of everyday goods have doubled, tripled, or worse. From sachet pepper and onions to “quarter” loaves of bread and now sachet Fanta, every new improvisation tells a painful story of a society adjusting to lack—not by choice, but by force.

Amid the ongoing hardship, frustration is boiling over. @flourish007 commented, “Let’s be honest. Since 2015, Nigerians have been trapped in a cycle of hardship. Yet many victims of this system are still eager to vote for the same party again in 2027. It often seems like Nigerians have become accustomed to suffering—choosing to defend their oppressors while attacking those who speak up on their behalf.”

The irony of patriotism amid suffering has never been more apparent. The government continues to assure citizens of plans and policies to stabilize the economy, but those promises seem more distant with each passing day. Subsidy removals have jacked up transportation and energy costs. Food prices have skyrocketed. Basic healthcare remains out of reach for many. And now, something as trivial as a soda has become a talking point of national despair.

Yet, even in all this, the Nigerian spirit persists. "People must find ways to survive," said @stmajoraa. And that, perhaps, is the most profound takeaway from this moment. In the face of failed leadership, broken systems, and economic suffocation, Nigerians are not giving up—they’re adapting. It may come in the form of sachet drinks, makeshift power sources, or new street businesses, but the hustle continues. Every tied nylon is a quiet protest against a system that left its people behind.

The question remains: how long can this cycle continue? How long will people keep adjusting before the weight becomes too much to bear? Will this sachet economy—where nothing is whole anymore—become the new normal, or will it finally push the country toward a tipping point?

As the video continues to circulate, drawing laughs, tears, and debates, one thing is clear: sachet Fanta is no joke. It is the story of a people who have learned to survive with pieces when they deserve wholes. It’s the story of a country whose greatness lies not in its leaders, but in the endurance of its citizens.

And until the system changes, the nylon bags will keep coming—tied tight, handed over in silence, and sipped with both frustration and fierce determination.