Why Is Food So Expensive in Nigeria?​

In Nigeria, food prices are skyrocketing. For many, food has become a luxury rather than a basic necessity. Here’s what’s causing Nigeria’s food inflation and what we can do about it.

Sometime in June 2024, I visited my local market in Abuja armed with a shopping list, a bag, and a modest budget, hoping to secure all my essentials. As expected, the market was lively, with vendors touting their wares as the best deals, although many were hesitant to, citing rising operational costs. The yam seller blamed soaring transportation fares, while the meat vendors pointed to the fluctuating naira-dollar exchange rate as the root of their challenges.

I managed to purchase most of my items at arguably reasonable prices until I reached the tomato stand. There, a familiar vendor handed me a small portion of tomatoes for ₦1,500, casually dismissing my attempts at bargaining. Instead, they suggested I survey the market, or even the country, to understand the current pricing landscape for tomatoes.

For several months, the dramatic surge in tomato prices left many Nigerians worried, especially considering tomatoes’ essential role in popular dishes like jollof rice and stew. As a result, many experimented with substitutes, such as watermelon, cucumber, and carrot. Social media platforms were abuzz with creative home cooks sharing their culinary innovations, a testament to the adaptability of the average Nigerian household.

Fortunately, these discoveries may have no future in Nigerian cuisine as recent weeks have ushered in a decline in tomato prices, offering some relief to the average Nigerian. What remains, however, is the price volatility of food items in Nigeria, which has rendered several food items out of the reach of many. Moreover, while the price of tomatoes has declined, their seasonal nature continues to cause price fluctuations and affect their availability...