Focus Keyphrase: Nigeria food inflation February 2026
Nigeria’s food inflation rate increased to 12.12% in February 2026, signaling renewed pressure on household food costs across the country.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the rise reflects higher prices of staple food items and a reversal of the previous downward trend.
Food Prices Drive Inflation Increase
The NBS said the increase was driven by rising costs of key food items such as:
- Beans
- Yam flour
- Cassava tuber
- Crayfish
- Millet flour
These staples form a major part of daily consumption, making the impact more significant for households.
Monthly Food Inflation Reverses Trend
On a month-on-month basis, food inflation rose sharply to 4.69% in February, up from -6.02% in January.
This marks a clear reversal after two consecutive months of declining food prices.
The NBS attributed the increase to a faster rise in average food prices across markets nationwide.
Despite rising food costs, Nigeria’s overall inflation rate showed a slight decline.
Headline inflation eased to 15.06% in February 2026, compared to 15.10% in January.
On a year-on-year basis, inflation dropped significantly from 26.27% recorded in February 2025.
However, on a monthly basis, inflation rose to 2.01%, indicating growing short-term price pressures.
Global Oil Prices Add Pressure
The report linked inflationary pressures partly to rising global crude oil prices.
Tensions involving Iran and the United States have pushed oil prices higher.
Benchmark Brent crude oil rose to $103.39 per barrel, increasing transportation and production costs.
Higher fuel costs often translate into higher food prices due to logistics expenses.
State-By-State Inflation Breakdown
The NBS report showed wide variations in inflation across states.
Highest Headline Inflation
- Kogi State – 23.57%
- Benue State – 22.85%
- Anambra State – 22.09%
Lowest Headline Inflation
- Katsina State – 7.78%
- Imo State – 11.66%
- Ebonyi State – 11.71%
Food Inflation Across States
Highest Food Inflation
- Kogi State – 26.91%
- Adamawa State – 23.12%
- Benue State – 21.89%
Lowest Food Inflation
- Katsina State – 5.09%
- Bauchi State – 7.09%
- Imo State – 7.65%
The latest data shows that food inflation remains a key driver of economic pressure in Nigeria.
While annual inflation trends suggest improvement, the monthly spike in food prices points to renewed cost challenges for consumers.
Analysts say factors such as fuel costs, supply chain disruptions, and global tensions may continue to influence food prices in the coming months.
