News

Special Report :Food Price, Market Claims and Expert Views

Published

6 months ago

September 7, 2025

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.

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.”

News

Ex-Bayelsa Governor Dickson Defects from PDP to NDC

Published

2 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Bayelsa State Governor and serving Senator, Seriake Dickson, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Dickson announced his defection on Thursday while addressing a world press conference, stating that his decision was guided by principle and conviction.

The former governor described the current state of the Peoples Democratic Party as critical, likening it to a patient in an Intensive Care Unit. He expressed concern over what he sees as deep internal challenges within the party.

According to him, Nigeria must not drift toward a one party system, stressing that a healthy democracy requires vibrant opposition and credible political alternatives.

Dickson’s exit marks a significant development in the nation’s political landscape, given his long standing role within the PDP as a former governor and influential figure in the South South region.

Further details of his plans within the Nigeria Democratic Congress are expected in due course.

News

NDLEA Clarifies: Drug Case Against Abba Kyari Still Active After Court Discharge

Published

3 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has moved to correct public misconceptions surrounding the legal troubles of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, clarifying that the core drug trafficking charges against him remain very much alive.

The clarification comes in the wake of a ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which discharged Kyari from a separate 23-count charge related to money laundering and the alleged non-declaration of assets.

In a statement released on Thursday, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, stressed that the public should not conflate the two distinct legal proceedings. He explained that while the money laundering case was before Justice Omotosho, the primary drug case is being handled by a different judge.

“The ruling delivered by Justice Omotosho is entirely separate from the main and substantive drug case against Abba Kyari,” Babafemi said. “That drug case is very much on course and is scheduled to continue before Justice Emeka Nwite on 16 of March. The public should be very clear that these are two different matters.”

The anti-narcotics agency also outlined its next steps regarding the recent court ruling. According to the statement, the NDLEA’s legal team is awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment. A thorough review of the document will inform the agency’s decision on whether to file an appeal against the discharge from the money laundering charges.

News

US Troops in Nigeria for Training and Advice Only, Defence Minister Clarifies

Published

12 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Achile Danjuma

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), has moved to alleviate concerns regarding the presence of United States military personnel in Nigeria, stating unequivocally that they are in the country “purely for training assistance and advisory role.”

Gen. Musa assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would retain full command and control over all military operations conducted within the nation’s territory. He made this clarification while presiding over the maiden edition of the newly introduced Monthly Operational Briefing at the Ministry of Defence.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had confirmed the arrival of 100 US military personnel and associated equipment at Bauchi Airfield on February 16, 2026. At the time, the DHQ emphasized that the deployed personnel were technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and training capacity, not as combat forces. It further stressed that “all training activities will be conducted under the authority, direction and control of the Nigerian Government and in close coordination with the Nigerian Armed Forces.”

During the briefing, the Minister provided strategic guidance to the military high command. He outlined the multifaceted threats to national security and urged the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs to intensify their efforts. He called for the development and implementation of new, decisive strategies to ensure the timely eradication of terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.

Gen. Musa commended the troops for their “professionalism, resilience, and gallantry” in the face of these challenges. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to improving troop welfare and enhancing the operational efficiency of the Armed Forces.

In a statement released after the event, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Col. Timothy Antigha (rtd), noted that the new monthly briefing is designed to provide a platform for reviewing ongoing operations and ensuring cohesive strategic direction across all services.

In a related development, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of the 401 Special Forces Brigade in Makurdi to remain “dogged and relentless” in their efforts to combat violence and criminality. He directed them to deal decisively with any individual or group threatening peace and stability, “irrespective of status, influence or affiliation.”

Lt.-Gen. Shaibu commended the troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) for their resilience and steadfast commitment to restoring security in affected communities across Benue State. He highlighted the strategic importance of OPWS within the broader national security framework.

The COAS stressed the need to consolidate recent gains through intelligence-driven operations, enhanced inter-agency synergy, and sustained community engagement. He reminded the troops that operational success must be matched with professionalism and strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, in line with international best practices.

Acknowledging their sacrifices, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu noted that the troops’ perseverance has not only degraded criminal networks but has also created a more secure environment conducive to socio-economic activities. He described the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their communities as a clear testament to their operational effectiveness and unwavering resolve.