By Barakat Alabi
Food inflation has become a pressing crisis in Nigeria, impacting millions of households nationwide. The prices of essential staples like rice, beans, yams, and vegetables have surged, making it increasingly difficult for families to access nutritious meals.
For example, a bag of rice, once a staple in most homes, now costs upwards of ₦76,000—compared to around ₦19,000 only a few years ago. This significant price hike has been driven by various factors, including the devaluation of the local currency, the Naira, rising fuel costs, and disruptions in local food production due to insecurity and climate change.

An online source recently said that as of August 2024, Nigeria’s food inflation rate was 37.5%, which was a decrease from 39.5% in July.
The positive figure is due to higher corn yields midyear and a six-month duty-free window for wheat and corn imports put in place by the Federal Government.

Rural farmers, the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, have been severely impacted. Insecurity, especially in northern Nigeria, has forced many farmers to abandon their lands, leading to a diminished food supply across the country.
Additionally, climate change has worsened harvests in some regions, further driving up food costs. As local production struggles to meet demand, Nigeria’s reliance on food imports has increased. However, the fluctuating value of the naira has made these imports increasingly expensive, exacerbating inflation.
The consequences of food inflation are most severe for low-income families, who face daily challenges to put food on the table. Many are forced to opt for cheaper, less nutritious meals, which negatively impacts their health and well-being. Although the government has introduced interventions aimed at stabilizing food prices and boosting local production, the crisis continues to deepen. Without effective solutions, concerns about long-term food security in Nigeria are likely to grow.
Alabi, an intern at the Media Career Development Network Lagos is a Mass Communication student of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu.