Nigeria’s headline inflation fell from 15.91% in June to 15.43% in July 2026. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the figures in its latest CPI report. However, the good news ends there for many households. Food inflation rose sharply, putting more pressure on family budgets.
Food inflation climbed to 20.31% year-on-year in July. That was higher than the 17.52% recorded in June. It also marked the sixth straight monthly increase this year. Food inflation rose from 8.89% in January to 12.12% in February. It then reached 14.31% in March and 16.06% in April. The figure climbed to 16.96% in May before hitting 17.52% in June.
One major driver of food prices is the high cost of transportation. Rising fuel prices have made it more expensive to move farm produce nationwide. The Middle East crisis has also pushed global crude oil prices higher.
Meanwhile, food inflation varies widely across Nigerian states. Adamawa recorded 33.03% headline inflation and 51.36% food inflation. Katsina and Zamfara recorded food inflation of 30.84% and 30.65%. Borno, however, recorded negative 0.31% food inflation.
Reacting to the trend, Agro Trade Group NACCIMA Chairman, Arc. Kabir Ibrahim, warned of tougher months ahead.
“The imported food forced the prices down, while the cost farmers incur to produce locally was rising.”
He said this discouraged farmers and pushed some out of farming. Ibrahim also blamed insecurity for keeping farmers away from their farms. According to him, Nigeria needs stronger security and local production to achieve food security.
