As of January 17, 2025, the prices of staple food items in Nigeria have surged dramatically, driven by inflation, currency depreciation, and the devastating effects of recent flooding on agricultural production.
This crisis is intensifying food insecurity and putting millions of Nigerians at risk.
Factors Behind the Rising Food Prices
Flooding:
Torrential rains and widespread flooding have ravaged 29 of Nigeria’s 36 states, destroying over 1.5 million hectares of farmland and affecting more than nine million people. The destruction of cropland has disrupted food production and supply chains, leading to shortages and price hikes.
Currency Depreciation:
The weakening of the naira has significantly increased the cost of imported goods and agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and equipment, further driving up the prices of locally produced food.
Inflation:
Nigeria’s persistent inflation has exacerbated the cost of living, making staple foods increasingly unaffordable for many households.
Impact on Nigerian Households
The sharp rise in food prices has led to worsening food insecurity, with approximately 25 million Nigerians currently facing acute food and nutrition challenges. Experts warn that this figure could escalate to 33 million by mid-2025 if the current trends continue. Families are being forced to reduce meal portions, compromise on nutritional quality, or seek alternative, less healthy food sources.
Current Prices of Key Food Commodities
Rice
50kg Bag: ₦78,000–₦96,000 (varies by brand and quality).
Beans
Brown Beans (50kg): ₦90,000 (sourced from Maiduguri).
Sweet Pure Butter Beans (50kg): ₦160,000.
Tomatoes
Big Basket of Fresh Tomatoes: ₦160,000.
Medium Basket of Fresh Tomatoes: ₦95,000.
Other Foodstuffs
Garri: ₦55,000 per 50kg bag.
Palm Oil: ₦10,500 per 5-litre gallon.
Spaghetti: ₦28,000 for a carton of Golden Penny Spaghetti (500g × 20).
A Call for Action
The sharp increase in food prices highlights the urgent need for interventions to stabilize Nigeria’s food systems. Proposed measures include:
Enhanced Flood Management: Strengthening infrastructure to mitigate the impact of flooding on farmlands.
Currency Stabilization: Implementing policies to curb the naira’s depreciation and support local agriculture.
Increased Local Production: Encouraging investment in agriculture to boost local food supply and reduce dependency on imports.
The current food price crisis underscores the vulnerability of Nigeria’s agricultural sector to climate change, economic instability, and inflationary pressures. Without swift and effective measures, the ongoing challenges could deepen food insecurity, threatening the livelihoods and well-being of millions of Nigerians.
