By Okeoghene Akubuike
Abuja, Dec. 12, 2025
The latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals a nuanced and critical shift in Nigeria’s food market for October 2025. While the headline suggests a general decrease, a deeper analysis of the Selected Food Prices Watch report shows a story of selective relief, persistent pressures, and stark regional disparities that define the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.
The report, released in Abuja, indicates a significant year-on-year decline in the prices of several staple items. This trend provides a crucial data point in the nation’s ongoing battle with food inflation. The most dramatic drop was seen in brown beans, with the average price per kilogram falling 37.09% from N2,798.50 in October 2024 to N1,760.53 in October 2025. This was followed by a 29.33% decrease in the price of white garri. These substantial reductions suggest potential improvements in the supply chain for these crops, possibly due to better harvests, reduced post-harvest losses, or more efficient distribution networks following recent government interventions.
However, this positive trend was not universal. The report highlights concerning counter-currents, particularly in protein sources. The average price of 1kg of boneless beef surged by 16.93% year-on-year, reaching N6,850.51. This increase underscores the complex challenges in the livestock sector, which may be grappling with issues such as rising cost of animal feed, insecurity in key rearing regions, and transportation bottlenecks. The price of onion bulbs also increased by 4.66% over the year, pointing to vulnerabilities in horticultural production and seasonal variations.
A state-by-state and zonal analysis uncovers a Nigeria of two very different food economies. The disparities are staggering. For instance, a kilogram of brown beans cost N2,174.09 in Imo State but only N1,263.68 in Yobe State—a price difference of over 70%. Similarly, white garri was sold for N1,165.3 in Bayelsa but just N490.1 in Plateau State.
Geopatterns are clear: the South-East zone consistently recorded the highest average prices for most items, including tomatoes, onion bulbs, and boneless beef. This likely reflects higher demand density, logistical challenges, and possibly local market taxes. In contrast, the North-West and North-Central zones often had the lowest prices, benefiting from proximity to production areas for grains and tubers. These regional price cliffs are not merely statistical observations; they represent real differences in household purchasing power and nutritional access across the federation.
The month-on-month data adds another layer of insight. While year-on-year figures show improvement, the monthly changes for October were more modest, with many items seeing decreases of less than 3%. This suggests the rapid deflationary trend may be stabilizing. The exception was onion bulbs, which saw a significant 9.33% month-on-month drop, indicating a possible seasonal glut after the main harvest.
This report arrives in the context of heightened governmental focus on food security. In September 2025, President Bola Tinubu directed a Federal Executive Council Committee to ensure the safe passage of food products across the country to further reduce prices. The October data may represent the early effects of this policy, aimed at dismantling logistical barriers and curbing extortion on major transit routes. The success of such initiatives is critical, as food costs remain the single largest expenditure for the average Nigerian family.
In conclusion, the October 2025 food price data offers a cautiously optimistic yet complex picture. Significant year-on-year declines in key staples provide much-needed relief, but rising costs for beef and the vast regional inequalities reveal a food system still under profound stress. Sustainable progress will depend on continued, targeted policies that address not just production, but the entire ecosystem of storage, transport, and market access.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
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