Lagos, Abuja residents, traders groan over rising prices of food items

Food prices across major markets rose in May 2026, reversing part of the broad-based relief observed in April as transportation costs, seasonal supply fluctuations, and rising logistics expenses affected staple commodities.

The rise in major food staples is largely attributable to rising diesel and transport costs, as the price of fuel rose again from N1,245 per litre in April to an average of N1,330 per litre in May, triggering a reversal from the price relief experienced in the previous month.

The May survey suggests that while severe food inflation pressures may be easing compared with 2024 and early 2025 levels, rising transport and logistics costs continue to limit the pace of price moderation across Lagos markets.

A review of 67 staple food items shows that 27 items recorded price increases, a notable rise from the 18 items that increased in April 2026.

At the same time, 17 items declined in price, sharply lower than the 44 items that recorded reductions in the previous month, while 23 items remained unchanged, compared to just 5 items in April.

As of April 2026, Nigeria’s headline inflation rose to 15.69% up from 15.38% recorded in March, while food inflation rose to 16.06% year-on-year, although significantly lower than the 24.68% recorded in April 2025.

The NBS attributed the rise in food prices to increases in the cost of key staples, including millet, yam flour, fresh ginger, beef, garri, beans, tomatoes, wheat grain, soybeans, and plantain.

At the Lagos state level, food inflation remains sensitive to supply inflows from northern Nigeria, transport costs linked to fuel prices and seasonal agricultural cycles.

In Abuja some traders and residents have expressed concern about the rising prices of perishable goods, such as tomatoes and peppers.

They spoke in separate interviews to NAN in Abuja, noting that seasonal food items such as tomatoes, peppers and fruits were no longer affordable, even during their harvest periods.

They said prices of tomatoes and peppers had continued to rise in recent weeks and worsened in the past few days due to increasing demand ahead of the sallah celebration.

According to them, while prices of some perishable items have dropped due to the rainy season, others have increased significantly because of transportation costs and rising demand.

Idris Adamu, a tomato and pepper dealer at Gwagwalada Market, said the current economic situation in the country had affected virtually everything in the market.

Mr Adamu said prices of tomatoes and peppers, particularly tomatoes, had continued to fluctuate since March.

“Between March and May, the price of a big basket of tomatoes fluctuated between N60,000 and N100,000, compared to between N20,000 and N35,000 in February.

“If you go round the market, you will discover that some of us dealing in tomatoes and pepper do not even have goods to sell. Some traders are afraid customers may not be willing to spend so much on tomatoes because the increase in the price of baskets will also affect the price of smaller quantities,” he said.

He appealed to the government to provide agricultural and transportation support to farmers to stabilise food prices.

Maryam Salawu, a trader, said she was unable to buy tomatoes and pepper for resale because the prices were beyond her budget.

Ms Salawu said she preferred to wait until prices reduced rather than risk making losses, as many customers could no longer afford the items. She attributed the high prices to the Sallah celebration and the prevailing economic situation in the country.

Firdausi Bello, a civil servant and mother of three, described the situation as unbearable, saying it had become increasingly difficult for average Nigerians to feed their families.

Ms Bello said the prices of most food items had risen sharply over the past few days, adding that she could no longer afford to buy a custard bucket of tomatoes.
“I am shocked at the price of tomatoes and peppers. I cannot afford to buy a bucket of tomatoes for N6,500, while some sellers charge N7,000 for the same quantity that sold for N2,500 a few days ago.

The only alternative I have now is to continue buying dried tomatoes and peppers until prices drop.

“As a civil servant, if I spend N6,500 on just one bucket of tomatoes, how much will remain for other household needs? It is high time the government looked into the plight of Nigerians. People are really suffering,” she said.

Similarly, in Karu and Nyanya, prices of the commodities also increased, with a big basket of tomatoes selling for between N65,000 and N80,000.

Joy Aromeh, a trader, said a big basket of tomatoes, which previously sold for between N13,000 and N20,000, now sells for between N65,000 and N80,000.

She added that a bag of okra, which previously cost between N8,000 and N10,000, now sells for between N20,000 and N30,000. According to her, the perishable goods business is no longer as profitable as before because customers constantly complain about the high prices.

She said many customers now preferred dried tomatoes because they were cheaper, adding that fresh produce often got spoiled due to low patronage.
Ms Aromeh appealed to the government to reduce fuel prices to ease the burden on traders and consumers.

Another trader, Abdul Isiaku, said a small bag of tatashe, which previously sold for between N10,000 and N15,000, now costs between N70,000 and N85,000. Mr Isiaku said the increase had made it difficult for him to purchase a full bag alone, forcing him to contribute money with other traders to buy and share.

He attributed the increase mainly to rising transportation costs, aside from the slight increase caused by the Sallah celebration and appealed to the relevant authorities to address the rising cost of fuel.

A bag of onions, which previously sold for between N30,000 and N40,000, now sells for between N60,000 and N70,000.
Also, a dustbin basket of cayenne pepper (shombo) sells for between N12,000 and N13,500, up from the previous range of N7,000 to N9,000.