The cost of cooking a pot of jollof rice in Nigeria surged by nearly 20 per cent between September 2024 and March 2025, according to the latest SBM Jollof Index. The report, titled ‘Staple Under Stress’, showed that the average price rose from ₦21,300 to ₦25,486, with protein—particularly turkey—identified as a key contributor to the increase.
SBM Intelligence, which tracked prices across 13 markets, attributed the spike to higher costs of ingredients like rice, pepper and meat, compounded by insecurity in food-producing regions, rising transport costs, and energy tariffs. Port Harcourt recorded the steepest hike at 55.1 percent, followed closely by Kano at 53.8 percent and Bauchi at 34.9 percent.
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While some urban markets such as Wuse II and Nyanya in Abuja experienced moderate price increases, others like Bodija and Dugbe in Ibadan saw marginal declines, reportedly due to improved local harvests. Overall, the report indicates persistent inflation and worsening food insecurity, especially in urban and peri-urban areas.
The report concludes that food inflation in Nigeria continues to be driven by a complex mix of insecurity, fuel price shocks, and disrupted supply chains, underscoring the urgent need for strategic interventions to stabilise food markets and protect vulnerable households.
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