Food prices in Nigeria are rising at an alarming rate

    Life is becoming increasingly difficult for many Nigerians. Many of them have to struggle to obtain the most basic essentials of food, clothing, and shelter. 

The current situation in Nigeria is such that growing food prices, as well as other vital goods, are making it impossible for many people to afford them. 

Rice is now N25,000, up from N24,500 two weeks ago. A vegetable oil jerry can costs N28,000. One was sold for N27,000 by a vendor. Three Crown milk costs N270 per tin and N10,800 every carton.

Food prices are not at all consistent.

The food situation is rapidly deteriorating. 

According to the food merchants, the cost of transporting food goods from the northern portion of the country has climbed tremendously, resulting in comparable increases in food costs. 

The Result: 

1. Due to the high cost of food, consumers are less likely to patronize vendors. 

2. Customers can no longer afford the prices of food items. 

Not to mention the gas used for cooking!!

"Why is the cost of cooking gas increasing?" 

Due to the high cost of cooking gas, many women have been forced to resort to dangerous alternatives such as firewood and charcoal. "They can't kill themselves," says the speaker. 

The increase adds to the country's significant challenges for women and children. 

Ms Victoria, 45, said that the continual rise in the price of cooking gas has had a severe impact on her business, pushing her to convert to firewood as a substitute. 

"Firewood is harmful to my health." "The smoke is hurting my eye, but there's nothing I can do," she explained.

Reasons for food price increases 

Because of supply chain challenges, disrupted harvests, and rising labor expenses, the cost of critical food items needed to prepare meals continues to rise. 

It has become more expensive due to rising inflation. 

Following a 0.8 percent gain in February, the consumer price index (CPI), which monitors the cost of various goods and services, grew by 1.2 percent last month. The key drivers of growing inflation are gas, food, and shelter. 

"You can't take items to the market and sell them cheap after spending so much on inputs; you have to recoup your costs and, of course, add some margin for the effort you put into the production process," says Dr Muhammad Ibrahim, National President of the Union of Food Stuff.

Some customers have expressed concern about the present high prices of food and cooking gas, pushing the government to take more aggressive actions to solve the problem.