Nigeria saw food inflation climb back into double digits in February 2026, reaching 12.12 per cent, up from 8.89 per cent in January, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The rebound follows a record low in January, when food inflation fell to 8.89 per cent the lowest level in 14 years and the first single-digit reading since August 2011, when it stood at 8.66 per cent. The February increase represents a 3.23 percentage point rise from the previous month.
Staple foods drive inflation increase
The NBS attributed the rise in food prices to increases in several key staples, including beans, carrots, okazi leaf, cassava tuber, crayfish, millet flour, yam flour, snails, dried Ogbono (Avenger/Apon), and cowpeas.
On the broader economy, headline inflation edged slightly lower to 15.06 per cent in February from 15.10 per cent in January, indicating that food price movements remain a major driver of cost-of-living pressures.
Year-on-year and month-on-month trends
On a year-on-year basis, food inflation in February 2026 stood at 12.12 per cent, markedly lower than the 26.98 per cent recorded in February 2025. By contrast, the month-on-month measure showed a sharp rise: February’s 4.69 per cent increase reversed January’s decline of -6.02 per cent, highlighting renewed upward pressure on food prices within the month.
The average annual food inflation over the twelve months ending February 2026 was 19.08 per cent, down from 37.40 per cent in the previous year, reflecting a slower rate of price increases over the medium term.
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Regional disparities in food price increases
Food inflation varied widely across Nigeria’s states. On a year-on-year basis, Kogi recorded the highest rate at 26.91 per cent, followed by Adamawa (23.12 per cent) and Benue (21.89 per cent). The slowest growth was observed in Katsina (5.09 per cent), Bauchi (7.09 per cent), and Imo (7.65 per cent).
Month-on-month trends also showed variation. Bayelsa led with 8.81 per cent, followed by Ebonyi at 8.51 per cent and Edo at 7.72 per cent. Conversely, Katsina (0.70 per cent), Nasarawa (0.17 per cent), and Kano (1.39 per cent) experienced minimal or negative month-on-month growth.
Implications for consumers and policy
The resurgence in food inflation highlights continued volatility in Nigeria’s cost of living, particularly for low- and middle-income households that spend a large share of their income on food. Analysts say fluctuations in staple food prices are driven by factors including supply chain disruptions, seasonality, and production costs.
Policymakers face the challenge of managing inflationary pressures while supporting agricultural productivity and improving food distribution systems. Monitoring and interventions targeting the most affected states may be necessary to stabilise prices and protect vulnerable populations.
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The NBS data underscores the need for targeted policy responses to ensure food affordability and maintain overall economic stability amid fluctuating inflationary trends.
