A white man was sighted on Thursday distributing loaves of bread to hundreds of Lagosians who queued for the free staple, highlighting the extent to which citizens were battered by hunger amid the nation’s worst cost-of-living crisis under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The white man, whose identity Peoples Gazette could not confirm, donned a blue shirt on grey trousers as he handed out loaves to people standing in an orderly queue at 48, Asa-Afariogun Street, Ajao Estate in Lagos.

A beneficiary of the man’s benevolence who did not disclose her last name, Mary, told The Gazette that the white man had earlier in the day shared bibles to interested individuals prior to giving out the bread loaves.

He bought the loaves from Exclusive Bakery also in Ajao Estate and each cost N1200. When approached for comments, the Bakery did not disclose the total cost of loaves that the white man purchased but confirmed that hundreds of Lagosians benefited from his goodwill.

The development underscores the hard times hitting Nigerians across the country as Mr Tinubu’s administration grapples with historic inflation, unemployment, fuel crises, naira depreciation among other economic crises.

The country’s poverty ratings have hit rock bottom since Mr Tinubu assumed office more than a year ago and even though the Nigerian leader increased the minimum wage to N70,000 (about $42) after labour groups protested and embarked on strikes, its desired impact has been eroded by skyrocketing inflation.

The majority of private employers demurred to the new wage, citing high operating costs exacerbated by inflation and fuel crisis hindered them from raising staff wages. Hence, workers were still earning N30,000 (approximately $20) as minimum wage.

The owners of Exclusive Bakery appreciated the white man’s patronage, noting that they didn’t know his identity.

It was unclear whether the man is a Nigerian national or a foreigner on a Christian missionary project.

One of the queues seen on social media stretched 30 metres long and had dozens of Nigerians waiting their turns for a loaf of bread.

Mercy told The Gazette that the man came to the place last week to share bread and bibles to eager and excited Lagosians at the same location in Ajao Estate.

Collecting bread was not contingent on taking bibles, Mercy said, to clarify that the white man did not discriminate against persons who didn’t accept his bible gift, as he still gave them bread at no cost.

Mr Tinubu’s government has not devised a clear strategy to address rising food costs. 

In September, he parroted a removal of import duties on foods and distribution of Compressed Natural Gas-powered vehicles to alleviate the high cost of petrol.

But his policies have yet to drive down the prices of food and other products but have instead pushed many families into extreme poverty and hardship, earning him the moniker “T-pain” (Tinubu Pain).

That Nigerians can queue for free bread on the street mirrored the dire situation most households are subjected to under Mr Tinubu’s watch.