Nigerian Food Inflation Hits Crisis Levels: Lagos, Edo, and Yobe Among Hardest Hit States

Amid escalating economic challenges, a recent report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shed light on the dire state of food prices in Nigeria, with Kogi, Kwara, and Ondo emerging as the hardest-hit states.

According to the NBS April Consumer Price Index and Inflation report, Kogi State leads the nation with a staggering food inflation rate of 48.62 percent, closely trailed by Kwara at 46.73 percent and Ondo at 45.87 percent on a year-on-year basis.

In contrast, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Nasarawa experienced relatively slower rises in food inflation, registering rates of 33.61 percent, 33.85 percent, and 34.03 percent, respectively.

On a month-to-month basis, Lagos, Edo, and Yobe witnessed the highest food prices, with Lagos recording a 4.74 percent increase, followed by Edo at 4.06 percent and Yobe at 3.99 percent. These figures underscore the widespread impact of inflation across different regions of the country.

The report’s findings coincide with a concerning surge in headline and food inflation rates for April, reaching 33.69 percent and 40.53 percent, respectively. This alarming trend signals deepening economic hardship for many Nigerians, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to address the underlying causes of food price volatility and inflationary pressures.