Nigeria’s food policy under fire as prices soar

Food prices in Nigeria are still very high, even though the government has spent money on support programs and imported food worth about ₦7.65 trillion in 2025.

This has raised concerns about whether these efforts are actually helping people afford food.

Data shows that even with increased spending and imports, food has not become cheaper for many households across the country.

What the data shows

The government spent about ₦9.74 billion on food support programs in 2024.

In 2023, ₦185 billion was shared across states to buy rice and fertiliser for citizens.

Nigeria’s food import bill has continued to rise:

₦3.83 trillion in 2023

₦6.58 trillion in 2024

₦7.65 trillion in 2025

To reduce prices, the government removed import duties on some food items in 2024. This helped reduce food inflation from 40.8% in mid-2024 to 8.89% in early 2025.

However, food inflation rose again to 14.31% in March 2026, showing that prices are still under pressure.

Why food prices remain high

Experts say the problem is not just about spending money it is about deeper issues in the system.

1. Poor supply chain and storage

A lot of food is wasted because of bad storage and weak distribution systems. This reduces supply and increases prices.

2. High transportation costs

Fuel price increases make it more expensive to move food from farms to markets, and these costs are added to food prices.

3. Exchange rate issues

The falling value of the naira makes imports and farming inputs more expensive, which raises food prices.

4. Over-reliance on imports

Imports may help in the short term, but they expose Nigeria to global price changes and foreign exchange problems.

5. Insecurity in farming areas

Farmers in some regions cannot access their land or produce enough due to security challenges, reducing food supply.

6. Climate change

Floods and droughts are affecting farming seasons and harvests, leading to lower food production.

Impact on Nigerians

Rising food prices are making life harder for households. Many people are:

Buying less food

Choosing cheaper, lower-quality food

Experts warn this could affect health and productivity in the long run.

They also explain that even if inflation slows down, prices will not drop they will just rise more slowly.

What experts suggest

Experts believe Nigeria needs long-term solutions, including:

Better farming methods and equipment

Improved roads and transport systems

Proper storage and processing facilities

Stronger security in farming areas

They say real progress will only happen if the government focuses on fixing these structural problems, not just spending money on short-term solutions.

Recent government actions

A ₦1 billion reform of agricultural education has been introduced.

A ₦250 billion loan facility has been approved to support small farmers.

A $1 billion partnership was secured to improve the agricultural sector.

Source: Nairametrics