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Special Report :Food Price, Market Claims and Expert Views

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10 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Recently, there have been reports claiming a drastic reduction in prices of raw food items in the market. According to Nairametrics, mid-2025 indicates a reduction in the prices of some raw food items in Nigeria, particularly staples like maize, rice, and yam, following a period of high inflation. This decline is attributed to increased local supply from new harvests, government interventions including import duty waivers, and improved logistics, though some processed foods and specific items have shown slower price reductions.

Also, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recorded a marginal drop in overall inflation from 24.23% in March to 23.71% in April 2025, partly because of the falling prices of food and some commodities. Similarly, some news outlets like ThisDay newspaper, Daily Trust, and others noted significant reductions in prices of items like onions, pepper, yam, garri, and beans from the market analysis reports of experts. It’s a no-brainer that these reports are due to the increased agricultural outputs of the country. The country is evidently in its harvesting season of what farmers have cultivated. Hence, the temporary surplus of grains and vegetables is leading to price relief.

However, the reality of things seems different from the reports circulating about the reduction in food prices. Approaching restaurants or factories where some of these items are processed would give one a different experience from the reports being made. Why are there discrepancies between markets regarding the prices of these food items processed or not?

Experts Weighed In:

“Price rigidity could be one of the reasons for such a scenario,” said AbdulSalam Isiya, an economist.

Isiya revealed that it’s not always easy to have a balanced price tag for commodities like food items whenever there’s a price reduction because traders would always agitate to have their commodities in stock sold before applying the new price tag on newly purchased ones.

“For such a reason, you would see that not all markets would comply immediately with the reduction in prices. It will take time,” he said.

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Mr. Isiya also noted that traders usually don’t shy away from expressing their rational instincts:

“We see how transportation fares don’t reflect price reduction but quickly adjust to the prevailing high cost whenever an increment in fuel price is announced. That’s how human beings are.”

He continued, “Social economists usually paint this category of people who prioritize their interest over the masses as ‘greedy animals.'”

“Nonetheless, this price reduction might fully materialize if the principle of the invisible hand, as postulated by Adam Smith, works perfectly.”

Furthermore, a marketing lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr. Junaidu Salih, said that it’s bound to happen that even after the reduction in prices of some food items, the expenses incurred during processing wouldn’t allow the price to reduce as some people are expecting:

“It’s believed in marketing that the working capital cost must be matched with commodities as they have undergone processes beyond what they were known for before their purchase from the market.”

“No trader would want to incur that loss. Since it takes a lot of combined efforts to bring a commodity to its finished stage, the cost of the efforts initiated must be compensated.”

He continued, “An entrepreneur is always driven by the ‘make more profit’ mentality. That’s why you see that prices of commodities quickly get traders’ attention to implement whenever they go up, rather than when they go down.”

Food Vendors Shared Their Experiences

Larai John, a food vendor at the Cook Village restaurant in Zaria, narrated that the price of food at the finished line of production is determined by several factors, excluding the price it’s sold for at the market when it’s still raw.

“You don’t expect me to exclude charging for the quality I make sure I give my food.”

She went as far as referencing a famous singer whose stage name is Flavour, when he mentioned in one of his lyrics that “better soup na money kill am.”

“That is why there is Buka and a restaurant. The amount you are charged depends on the quality of food you get,” Mrs. Larai posited.

Also, Mrs. Esther Auta, a raw food vendor at the Samaru Market in Zaria, argued that food items are bought from different places, and that conditions are attached to each of these places they purchase food items from:

“I might be selling rice that has stones inside it while my neighbor there might be selling the one without stones. You wouldn’t expect our prices to be the same. Definitely, hers would be costlier than mine.”

“And that is how restaurant owners who buy from us will also give different price tags,” she added.

Mrs. Auta also revealed that she always adds her transportation cost to the price of anything she buys before selling it to customers:

“Also, you don’t expect someone who bought his rice or beans from another state to have the same price tag as the one who bought his in Zaria here, maybe even a stone’s throw from his house.”

 

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NISO Announces Power Outage in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina for Grid Maintenance

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1 day ago

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June 27, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has announced a planned power interruption affecting Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states this Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In a statement posted via its X handle, NISO explained that the temporary outage is necessary to facilitate essential maintenance at the 330kV Kumbotso Substation, to be carried out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

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Describing the upgrade as a critical investment, the system operator noted that the exercise would strengthen the national grid, enhance transmission capacity, and improve the overall resilience of Nigeria’s power system—ultimately leading to better electricity supply for customers in the affected region.

NISO expressed regret over the inconvenience and appealed for patience, understanding, and cooperation from members of the public during the maintenance period.

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DSS Releases Detained Farmer, Awards N3 Million Compensation After Review Clears Him of Terror Links

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1 day ago

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June 27, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the immediate release and compensation of a man who had been wrongfully detained on suspicion of ties to Boko Haram.

Nura Idris, a farmer and livestock rearer from Soba Local Government Area in Kaduna State, was released following a comprehensive review by a DSS investigation panel that found no evidence to support the allegations against him.

In addition to ordering his release, the DSS Director-General approved a compensation package of N3 million to assist Idris with his immediate needs and pledged further support to help him rebuild his business.

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According to a security source, Idris was initially arrested in June 2024 in Suleja, Niger State, by a sister security agency over alleged links to terrorists. He was subsequently transferred to DSS custody, where the case underwent a full review.

Receiving the compensation, Idris expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership. “I thank the DGSS for his kindness. I was well treated in DSS custody and I pray that Allah rewards the DGSS immensely,” he was quoted as saying.

His father, Yusuf Idris, who received him upon his release, also thanked the DSS Director-General for his compassion and generosity, assuring that the compensation would be put to good use.

Another security source disclosed that in similar cases, the DSS routinely provides psychological and medical support to released detainees and assists them in establishing businesses to facilitate their reintegration into society.

The release of Idris is part of a broader internal review exercise initiated by the Service last year. The initiative aims to reassess inherited and prolonged detention cases to ensure that individuals held without sufficient evidence are not left in custody.

“The Service under the current DG has continued to show that safeguarding national security must go hand in hand with upholding the rights and dignity of citizens,” the source said.

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Army Approves Strategic Redeployment, Names New GOCs for 3 and 6 Divisions

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1 day ago

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June 27, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior officers, with changes affecting key operational, command, training and staff appointments.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the reshuffle is part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve operational effectiveness across the country.

The statement added that the postings affected field commanders, school commandants and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.

It noted that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the strategic redeployment of senior officers, saying the move was aimed at enhancing the Army’s capacity to address emerging security challenges.

Under the new appointments, Major General WM Dangana has been named the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola.

Similarly, Major General EI Okoro has been appointed GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.

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The statement also announced the appointment of Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola will serve as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retains his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.

As part of efforts to strengthen operational leadership and combat readiness, Brigadier General IB Buhari was appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu was named Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

In a move reflecting the Army’s growing emphasis on technology and emerging security threats, Major General SA Emmanuel was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.

The statement noted that the appointment “reinforces the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations.”

Major General O Adegbe was also appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.

In the area of military education and institutional development, Major General KE Chigbu was appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo became Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.

Other appointments include Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport and Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC).

Brigadier General U Ahmad has also been appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

The reshuffle further saw Major General KO Ukandu appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison was named Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

The statement added, “The COAS charged the newly appointed senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security across the nation.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its transformation drive and commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing contemporary and future security challenges in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives.”

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