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Special Report :Food Price, Market Claims and Expert Views

Published

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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BUK Emerges Top Performing Nigerian University In Global Ranking

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14 minutes ago

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June 29, 2026

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Nigeria has reinforced its growing influence in global higher education as 24 universities secured places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings, the highest representation by any country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The latest rankings place the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos among Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities, while Bayero University Kano emerged as one of the country’s top-performing institutions. Nigeria also increased its representation in the global rankings from 21 universities in 2024 and 2025 to 24 universities in 2026, making it the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Nigerian contingent comprises 17 federal universities, three state universities and four private universities, underscoring the increasing competitiveness of the country’s tertiary education sector across teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

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The rankings also reflect the growing recognition of specialised institutions, with several federal universities of technology and agriculture earning places, while state-owned universities continued to strengthen their global standing through improved academic performance and research output.

Reacting to the latest rankings, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the achievement as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s higher education sector, saying it reflects the positive outcomes of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s universities. He noted that the growing international recognition of Nigerian institutions underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming tertiary education into a catalyst for innovation, research, human capital development and sustainable national growth.

Pundits say the latest recognition is expected to boost the international profile of Nigerian universities, enhance opportunities for global collaborations, attract research funding and encourage sustained investment in quality teaching, innovation and institutional development across the country’s higher education landscape.

The 24 Nigerian universities that featured in the 2026 THE rankings are:

1. University of Ibadan

2. University of Lagos

3. Bayero University Kano

4. Covenant University

5. Landmark University

6. Ahmadu Bello University

7. Federal University of Technology, Minna

8. University of Ilorin

9. University of Jos

10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka

11. Babcock University

12. Delta State University, Abraka

13. Ekiti State University

14. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

15. Federal University of Technology, Akure

16. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

17. Federal University Oye-Ekiti

18. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

19. Lagos State University

20. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

21. Obafemi Awolowo University

22. University of Benin

23. University of Calabar

24. University of Port Harcourt

 

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PWD Groups Commend Waiya’s Inclusive Engagement, Urge Kano Government to Operationalise Disability Commission

Published

1 day ago

on

June 28, 2026

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Commissioner Waiya addressing the Press during the session

 

 

Associations representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kano State have commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for what they described as his commitment to inclusive governance while calling for the immediate implementation and take-off of the Kano State Disability Commission to strengthen disability inclusion and representation.

In a press release jointly signed by leaders of various disability associations in the state on Friday, the groups also praised the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, for what they described as his consistent engagement with disability organisations and efforts to ensure that their voices are reflected in government decision-making processes.

According to the statement, the associations said Waiya’s inclusive approach has strengthened confidence among members of the disability community and demonstrated the Kano State Government’s commitment to social justice, equal participation and inclusive governance.

The groups, however, expressed concern over what they described as persistent challenges in their relationship with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Disabilities, despite what they acknowledged as the governor’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable groups in the state.

The associations stated that the ministry’s current approach does not adequately reflect Governor Yusuf’s vision of promoting the dignity, empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in governance. They warned that the situation could undermine the objectives for which the ministry was established.

According to the statement, the disability groups have on several occasions submitted formal complaints and observations to relevant authorities over what they described as poor treatment and inadequate engagement of recognised disability organisations by the ministry.

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The associations cited the recent distribution of Eid sacrificial cows donated by Governor Yusuf as one example of their concerns. They alleged that the items were distributed to selected individuals based on personal affiliations rather than through recognised disability leadership structures, which they said had been the established practice in previous interventions.

The statement noted that the development generated dissatisfaction among many members of the disability community across Kano State, adding that transparent engagement with recognised organisations would have promoted fairness and accountability.

Highlighting their grievances, the associations alleged that recognised disability organisations and representative bodies are frequently sidelined in decision-making processes and in the implementation of programmes directly affecting Persons with Disabilities in the state.

They also expressed concern over what they described as inadequate consultation with disability stakeholders during the design and implementation of policies, programmes and interventions targeted at Persons with Disabilities.

Furthermore, the groups alleged that legitimate umbrella bodies representing Persons with Disabilities are often excluded from important government engagements and the distribution of welfare packages, a situation they said weakens effective representation and participation.

According to the statement, the current situation is inconsistent with Governor Yusuf’s publicly stated commitment to inclusive governance and social protection for vulnerable groups, particularly Persons with Disabilities.

To address these concerns, the associations appealed to the Kano State Government to establish a high-powered committee to facilitate the implementation and operational take-off of the Kano State Disability Commission. They noted that similar commissions already exist in several states across Nigeria and have strengthened disability inclusion and rights protection.

The groups said an operational Disability Commission would provide a dedicated institutional framework for protecting the rights of Persons with Disabilities, coordinating interventions, promoting accountability and ensuring the effective implementation of disability-inclusive policies across Kano State.

The associations expressed confidence that the establishment and operationalisation of the commission would significantly improve inclusion, service delivery, representation and accountability in matters affecting Persons with Disabilities.

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the PWDs Association, Kano State, alongside cluster heads including Musa Muhammad Shaga of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Abdurrahman Uba Daushe of the Spinal Cord Injuries Association, Musa Muhammad Kura of the National Association of the Blind, Salisu Da’u Dawakin Kudu of the Lepers Association, Mariya Ishaq of the Albinism Association, Sani Babachanka of the Deaf Association, and Yahaya A. Yahaya of the Physically Challenged Association.

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

Published

2 days ago

on

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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