Friday, June 20, 2025 - Food inflation continues to strain household incomes across Nigeria, despite a technical decline in the year-on-year national average.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), food
inflation stood at 21.14% in May 2025, a sharp drop from 40.66% in May 2024—a
decline largely attributed to a change in the inflation base year, which
affects annual comparisons.
However, the month-on-month rate rose slightly to 2.19%, up
from 2.06% in April, signaling persistent price pressures on key food items.
At the state level, several parts of the country are facing
disproportionately high food inflation, even in regions that are major food
producers. This highlights a widening gap between local food production and
consumer affordability—caused by insecurity, supply chain disruptions, high
transport costs, and weak market infrastructure.
A Nairametrics survey report across four key Lagos markets
revealed that while some items such as rice, semovita, yellow maize, and frozen
fish experienced slight price drops, staples like tomatoes, pepper, palm oil,
and chicken saw price increases—keeping overall food prices uncomfortably high.
The NBS reports that key staples such as yam, cassava,
pepper, and maize remain costly across all regions, contributing to persistent
food inflation pressures nationwide.
Top 10 States With Highest Year-on-Year Food Inflation (May
2025)
10. Ebonyi – 25.9%
Rising
sharply from 7.2% in April, Ebonyi’s 25.9% inflation is significant for a state
known as a rice production hub. Despite producing yam, beans, and cassava,
inefficiencies in transport and distribution have kept prices elevated.
9. Kogi – 26.52%
Matching
Ogun, Kogi posted a 4.7% monthly rise. Known for yam, cassava, sorghum, and
cowpea production, the state's inflation may be due to poor market access and
regional supply chain disruptions.
8. Ogun – 26.54%
With a
massive 16.6% jump from 9.9% in April, Ogun’s inflation remains high despite
proximity to major food routes. The state produces cassava, maize, and rice but
still struggles with price pressures.
7. Abuja
(FCT) – 26.7%
Food prices
in the Federal Capital Territory rose from 22.2% to 26.7%, as the city heavily
depends on supply from surrounding states. Inflation here often mirrors
national trends, despite some local food production.
6. Cross River – 27.3%
Experiencing a jump from 14.5% in
April, Cross River’s 27.3% rate reflects rising prices of cassava, maize,
garden egg, banana, and pepper, despite the state’s active trade in regional
markets.
5. Sokoto – 27.6%
A marginal rise from 25.3%, Sokoto
remains among the top 10. Known for producing millet, rice, yam, and pumpkin,
the state's inflation points to seasonal supply fluctuations.
4. Niger – 30.3%
A 6% increase from April pushed
Niger to 30.3%. As a major producer of sorghum, yam, and rice, inflation here
may be influenced by market pressures from nearby states and seasonal
shortages.
3. Taraba – 38.6%
Food inflation in Taraba surged
from 20.3% in April—a steep 18.3% increase. Despite being a diverse
food-producing state, insecurity and poor infrastructure have hindered food
distribution and driven up prices.
2. Bayelsa – 39.8%
Jumping 20.1% from April’s 19.7%,
Bayelsa’s high inflation is surprising given its production of plantain,
cassava, pepper, and rice. The spike is likely due to supply chain dependence
on other regions and high transport costs.
1. Borno – 64.4%
Borno recorded the highest food
inflation in the country, rising from 21.5% in April—a staggering 42.9%
increase. Despite growing millet, maize, guinea corn, and sweet potatoes,
widespread insecurity, blocked trade routes, and restricted market access have
driven prices to record highs.
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