Nigeria Food Inflation Rises to 12.12% as Soaring Input Costs Hit Households
Nigeria’s food inflation climbed to 12.12 percent in February 2026, marking a sharp return to double-digit levels after briefly dropping to single digits in January. New data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that rising costs of farm inputs are once again pushing food prices higher, deepening pressure on households already struggling with the cost of living.
The increase represents a 3.23 percentage-point jump from January’s 8.89 percent, reversing what had been seen as a rare moment of relief for consumers. On a month-on-month basis, food prices surged by 4.69 percent, driven by increases in staples such as beans, cassava, yam flour, crayfish, and vegetables. For many Nigerians, this translates into higher daily spending on basic meals and reduced purchasing power.
Despite the monthly spike, inflation figures suggest some improvement compared to last year. Food inflation is significantly lower than the 26.98 percent recorded in February 2025, while the 12-month average dropped to 19.08 percent from 37.40 percent. However, this broader slowdown has done little to ease immediate hardship, as prices continue to rise in real terms across markets.
Farmers and business owners say the situation is being fueled by rising input costs, insecurity, and expensive transportation. The All Farmers Association of Nigeria warns that many farmers may scale back production or skip the planting season entirely due to shrinking profit margins. Meanwhile, the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria says the marginal drop in overall inflation offers little relief, with food and energy costs still squeezing small businesses and households alike.
Although Nigeria’s headline inflation eased slightly to 15.06 percent in February, experts caution that the improvement is too small to make a real difference. Analysts, including those at the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, warn that rising energy prices and global uncertainties could push inflation higher in the coming months. For now, food remains the biggest driver of inflation, highlighting ongoing structural challenges in agriculture, logistics, and economic stability.
source: punch