Rising cost of staples like beans and yam flour drives sharp rebound in food inflation, tightening the squeeze on households….
Nigeria’s food inflation surged sharply in February, signaling renewed pressure on household budgets even as the broader inflation rate showed a slight decline.
According to the latest Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics, the country’s annual food inflation climbed to 12.2 percent, up from 8.89 percent in January. The increase reflects rising prices of essential staples, including beans, cassava, yam flour, and crayfish items that form the backbone of daily meals for millions of Nigerians.
On a month-to-month basis, the spike was even more pronounced. Food inflation jumped to 4.69 percent in February, reversing a two-month decline that had briefly offered relief. In January, food prices had actually fallen by 6.02 percent, making February’s rebound a sharp turnaround that many households are already feeling.
Despite the surge in food costs, Nigeria’s headline inflation rate edged down slightly to 15.06 percent in February, compared to 15.10 percent in January. While the drop may appear encouraging, the marginal decline suggests that underlying price pressures remain firmly in place.
A closer look at the data shows a mixed picture. On a year-on-year basis, inflation has slowed significantly, falling by over 11 percentage points from 26.27 percent recorded in February 2025. However, on a month-on-month basis, inflation rose to 2.01 percent, a notable increase from the -2.88 percent recorded in January, indicating that prices are once again accelerating in the short term.
The renewed pressure on prices comes amid rising global oil costs, with crude nearing the $100 mark following tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical friction involving Iran and calls from Donald Trump for international intervention to secure the vital oil route. Higher crude prices often translate into increased transportation and production costs locally, feeding directly into food inflation.
Food Inflation Breakdown
Year-on-year, food inflation stood at 12.12 percent in February 2026, a significant drop from 26.98 percent in February 2025, suggesting some longer-term easing. However, the short-term trend tells a different story.
The month-on-month increase of 4.69 percent was driven by rising prices across a wide range of food items, including:
- Beans and cowpeas
- Yam and millet flour
- Cassava tubers
- Crayfish and snails
- Vegetables such as okazi leaves
- Ogbono (processed and unprocessed)
These increases highlight persistent supply chain challenges and cost pressures within the domestic food system.
Over a 12-month period ending February 2026, the average annual food inflation rate stood at 19.08 percent, down from 37.40 percent recorded a year earlier. While this points to gradual moderation, the pace of relief remains slow relative to the everyday reality of rising market prices.
State-by-State Pressure Points
The inflation burden is not evenly distributed across the country.
- Kogi State recorded the highest rates, with 57 percent headline inflation and 26.91 percent food inflation
- Benue and Anambra also ranked among the hardest hit states
At the other end of the spectrum:
- Katsina, Imo, and Ebonyi recorded the slowest rise in headline inflation
- For food inflation, Katsina, Bauchi, and Imo saw the lowest increases
On a monthly basis, some states experienced even sharper spikes. Enugu, Ogun, and Anambra led in month-on-month inflation increases, while states like Zamfara and Bauchi saw slight declines.
What It Means for Nigerians
While the marginal drop in headline inflation may suggest stability at first glance, the rebound in food prices tells a more urgent story. For most Nigerians, food accounts for a significant share of daily spending, meaning even small increases can have an outsized impact on living conditions.
With global oil prices rising and domestic supply challenges persisting, the outlook remains uncertain. If current trends continue, households could face even tighter conditions in the months ahead despite what the headline numbers might suggest.
