Nigeria’s food inflation eased month over month in September but remained 19.59% higher year over year, while Lagos traders’ accounts have put food affordability into discussion of the 2027 election.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported year-over-year food inflation of 19.59% in September. The month-over-month rate was −1.55%, compared with 1.02% in August. The NBS released the figures Oct. 15.
BusinessDay reported Nov. 8 that traders in Lagos were struggling with food costs. Trader Badmus said that on Nov. 4, a basket of clean tomatoes sold for ₦50,000 and one of less-clean tomatoes for ₦37,000. Badmus also cited ₦230,000 for a bag of onions, ₦65,000 for a bag of shombo pepper and ₦55,000 for a large bag of pepper. The report did not specify the weights or volumes of the bags and baskets.
A separate October benchmark from the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems lists tomatoes at ₦1,800 per kilogram, onions at ₦1,300 per kilogram and rodo pepper at ₦2,000 per kilogram. It lists imported long-grain rice at ₦26,500 per 25 kilograms and Ijebu garri at ₦1,100 per paint. The standardized measures cannot be directly matched with the traders’ unweighted bags and baskets.
Traders told BusinessDay that they needed more cash to replace stock after sales. One seller attributed higher pumpkin-leaf prices to generator fuel for irrigation and transportation costs. James, a used-clothing seller at Alaba Siri, said some customers were putting food first: “I drink garri now, and I can’t be drinking garri and be queue up to vote for somebody.”
The accounts describe pressures on shoppers and small traders, but they do not show that food prices will change voting choices. BusinessDay’s report included no voter survey measuring that link.
The Independent National Electoral Commission’s current calendar lists the presidential and National Assembly elections for Jan. 16, 2027, and the governorship and State House of Assembly elections for Feb. 6. An earlier commission timetable PDF lists Feb. 20 and March 6.
