By Agrobroadcast Team
Food inflation in Nigeria rose to 12.12 percent in February 2026, reversing its brief drop to single digits recorded in January, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The uptick was driven by renewed increases in the prices of key staples such as cassava, beans, yam, and crayfish items that form a significant part of household consumption across the country.
Despite the rise in food prices, the country’s headline inflation rate edged down slightly to 15.06 percent in February from 15.10 percent in January, defying the typical pattern where food inflation exerts upward pressure on overall inflation.
On a month-on-month basis, food inflation climbed by 0.80 percent, marking its first increase in over three months.
The NBS noted that, on a year-on-year basis, the February food inflation rate of 12.12 percent represents a significant decline of 14.86 percentage points compared to 26.98 percent recorded in the same period of 2025.
Further analysis of the data shows mixed price movements across other sectors.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded a 6.03 percent year-on-year increase, while housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels rose by 1.27 percent. Transport costs increased by 1.61 percent, restaurants and accommodation services by 1.95 percent, and health-related expenses by 0.91 percent.
The February figures run contrary to projections by several analysts who had anticipated a continued decline in food inflation, supported by ongoing government interventions.
However, a BusinessDay market survey indicates that food prices have remained relatively stable since the start of the year.
Experts, nonetheless, warn that escalating geopolitical tensions particularly the expanding conflict involving the United States and Iran could trigger fresh price pressures in the coming months.
At the subnational level, Kogi State recorded the highest food inflation rate at 26.91 percent, followed by Adamawa at 23.12 percent and Benue at 21.89 percent.
In contrast, Katsina, Bauchi, and Imo states posted the slowest increases at 5.09 percent, 7.09 percent, and 7.65 percent, respectively.