Nigeria’s Food Inflation Falls for Second Month, but Households Still Struggle 

News in Brief:

—  Nigeria’s food inflation slowed for the second consecutive month in September 2026, as food prices fell year-on-year and month-on-month. 

— High food costs, lower purchasing power, and concerns about unsafe food continue to challenge household budgets and access to nutritious meals.

Nigeria’s food inflation rate slowed to 19.59% in September 2026, down from 20.16% recorded in the past year. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), food inflation fell for the second consecutive month in 2026, after a back-to-back surge in the first six months. 

This lower rate of food price change offers modest relief on price pressures while households continue to grapple with expensive food and concerns about food safety.

The data office says the decline reflects falling average prices of commodities including local short-grain rice, eggs, fresh onions, palm oil, tomatoes, green beans, Irish potatoes, okra and plantain.

The average annual food inflation rate for the 12 months ending September was 15.72%, falling from 28.37% recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Lower Inflation Offers Potential Relief for Households

The September figures suggest food prices declined on average during the month. However, the improvement does not mean food has become affordable across the board. 

A grocery trader on the Lagos Mainland told this publication that sales had declined in the second half of the year. She says household heads are tightening their spending as food costs continue to outpace earnings in some cases. 

Many households still face difficult choices about meal sizes, nutritional variety and protein-rich foods such as eggs, fish and meat.

As families seek cheaper alternatives, food safety also remains an important consideration. Adulterated palm oil, contaminated food products and the sale of unsafe or poorly handled produce pose risks to consumers, particularly those prioritising affordability over trusted sources.

Affordability Must Not Come at the Expense of Safety

The combination of elevated food prices and concerns about adulteration highlights the need for stronger food inspection, consumer awareness and reliable supply chains.

Farmers, processors, traders and regulators all have roles to play in ensuring that affordable food is also safe for consumption. Improved storage, transportation and processing practices could reduce food losses and help stabilise prices without compromising quality.

For Nigerian households, September’s figures offer a positive sign, but sustained improvements in food supply, purchasing power and consumer protection will be essential to make nutritious, safe food more accessible.