Food Prices Ease Slightly in Abuja, But Remain Unaffordable for Many Residents
Story: written by Uzuh Rita October 30,2025
Despite a modest drop in food prices across major markets in Abuja, many residents say the relief is barely noticeable as the cost of basic staples remains out of reach for average households.
A market survey revealed that a 50kg bag of locally produced rice, which sold for up to ₦75,000 in 2024, now goes for between ₦63,000 and ₦65,000, while a mudu (small bowl measure) sells for about ₦2,200—down from ₦2,500. Similarly, foreign rice now costs between ₦80,000 and ₦85,000 per bag, with a mudu going for ₦2,000–₦3,500.
The downward trend also affects other staples. A bag of white beans now sells for around ₦95,000 and brown beans ₦110,000, compared to ₦130,000–₦140,000 last year. Prices of cooking oil have also eased slightly—25 litres of groundnut oil currently sells for about ₦73,000, while palm oil averages ₦65,000.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi, attributed the price moderation to improved agricultural output and ongoing intervention schemes.
“Since 2023, through the NAGS Agro-Pocket Programme, we have injected nearly 500,000 metric tons of wheat and similar quantities of maize, cassava, and other crops. This boost in production has helped to slow down food prices,” he said.
However, traders and consumers argue that the reduction has not translated into real relief. “Suppliers still sell at high prices because transport, diesel, and packaging costs have all gone up,” lamented Musa Garba, a grain dealer at Dutse Market.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), headline inflation fell slightly to 20.12 percent in August 2025, partly due to lower food prices. Yet, market prices in Abuja remain as much as 20 percent above the national average, highlighting the capital’s higher cost of living.
“The prices are better than before, but still too high for what most people earn,” said a trader at Wuse Market.
For residents like Aisha Abdullahi, a mother of four in Kubwa, the situation remains difficult. “I used to buy a mudu of rice every two days, but now I stretch it for a week,” she said.
Farmers also warn that the price decline could be short-lived if production costs remain high. Peter Dama, National Chairman of the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), noted that farmers still face rising input and logistics costs.
“Production expenses are climbing, yet we’re being told to lower prices. Without addressing these costs, farmers can’t sustain operations,” Dama explained.
He urged the government to involve industry stakeholders in decision-making. “Policies made without consultation or adequate support won’t produce lasting solutions,” he added.
Economist Daniel Onyejuwa cautioned that price control measures are unsustainable without tackling Nigeria’s structural challenges. “Inflation is mainly cost-driven—tied to energy, transport, and infrastructure problems,” he said.
Onyejuwa pointed out that high transportation expenses and poor road conditions continue to push up food prices. “When trucks spend days on bad roads, the additional costs are passed on to consumers,” he noted.
He further stressed that limited rice imports and low productivity keep supply below demand. “Until local output matches consumption needs, food will remain expensive,” he said.
While the government celebrates progress, both traders and consumers remain cautious. “The farmer bears the heaviest burden,” Dama reiterated. “Without solving input cost issues, prices may dip briefly but will soon rise again.”
Onyejuwa concluded that the president’s directive to crash prices is “politically appealing but economically shallow.”
“For true relief, Nigeria must fix its production bottlenecks, energy costs, and infrastructure gaps,” he said.
As the harvest season approaches, experts call for inclusive dialogue, targeted subsidies, and stronger investment in infrastructure to turn these temporary gains into lasting food stability.
