Nigerian journalist, Pooja has sparked a social media conversation about the high cost of living abroad after expressing shock at paying over N8,000 for a single bottle of Coca-Cola during a recent visit to the United States.

His comments have struck a chord with followers who are increasingly concerned about inflation and purchasing power parity.

Pooja, who shared his experience on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on June 17, 2026, detailing the unexpected expense. “I just paid over N8,000 for one bottle of Coke in the U.S.,” he wrote, adding that he was “stunned” by the price, which is significantly higher than the cost of a bottle in Nigeria. His post quickly went viral, amassing thousands of likes and comments from users sharing similar experiences or debating the economic implications of the exchange rate .

The price he paid reflects the current exchange rate and the general cost of goods and services in the United States, which remain elevated due to ongoing global inflationary pressures.

Analysts note that while such prices are standard for the U.S. market, they often come as a shock to visitors from countries with weaker currencies .

The journalist’s reaction is reminiscent of recent viral moments where the cost of everyday items abroad surprised Nigerian travelers. Earlier this year, a video of a vendor in Los Angeles selling Indian snacks like poha and tea for prices equivalent to ₦1,500 and ₦782, respectively, went viral for similar reasons .

In that instance, users on social media expressed shock at the disparity between local and international pricing, with one user commenting that the price in the U.S. could cover a whole party back home . This latest incident is the latest example of the public’s heightened sensitivity to the naira’s weakened purchasing power, which has made international travel significantly more expensive .