Soaring fuel prices linked to the ongoing US-Iran conflict are pushing food prices higher across Nigeria, hitting households already struggling with poverty and food insecurity. Residents in states like Ogun, Niger, Bauchi, and Abuja report steep increases in staple foods such as rice, beans, garri, and tomatoes. Traders and farmers attribute the surge to rising transportation costs caused by petrol price hikes, making it harder for everyday Nigerians to afford basic meals.
In Ogun State, grains vendor Olisa highlighted that small grain rice, previously N5,000 for a 4kg paint, now sells for N5,500, while beans and garri have also surged. Similarly, Niger State residents report price hikes of nearly 50% for common staples, with fuel prices climbing overnight from N900 to N1,300 per litre. Many Nigerians are now rationing food, switching to cheaper alternatives, and adjusting meal sizes as incomes remain limited.
Experts warn that the crisis is not only linked to the US-Iran conflict but is worsened by domestic challenges, including insecurity in northern food-producing regions, disrupted supply chains, and rising costs of agricultural inputs like fertilizer. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, hunger in Nigeria could rise from 27.2 million to 34.7 million people between June and August 2026 if urgent interventions are not implemented.
Agricultural economists emphasize that the conflict has global ripple effects, with disruptions to the Middle East oil supply driving up transportation and production costs nationwide. This, in turn, increases the cost of fertilizers, medicines, and other essential goods, while food inflation continues to climb. Analysts warn that continued instability could worsen malnutrition and reduce access to essential commodities for the most vulnerable Nigerians.
Professors and industry experts are calling on the government to intervene by subsidizing fuel, supporting farmers, and implementing strategies to reduce transportation costs. Without prompt action, they warn, Nigeria could face a prolonged period of food scarcity, higher crime rates, and deepening poverty, as households struggle to meet basic nutritional needs.
source: punch