Food inflation hits 16.96% in May, NBS reports

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Food inflation in Nigeria climbed to 16.96 per cent in May 2026, up from 16.06 per cent in April. The National Bureau of Statistics released the new data showing the year on year increase.

On a month on month basis, food inflation rose by 2.98 per cent. Adamawa state recorded the highest food inflation rate at 29.62 per cent. Borno saw a decline of 6.53 per cent.

The NBS said the rise was driven by higher prices for onions, maize, melon (egusi), water yam, cassava flour, crayfish, fresh pepper, tomatoes, wheat grain, cassava tuber, yam tuber, sweet potatoes, ginger, plantain and cowpea (beans).

Nigeria's overall headline inflation also rose to 15.93 per cent in May. Food and non alcoholic beverages were the main drivers. The continued increase means Nigerians are paying more for staple foods that form a major part of daily meals.

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