Nigeria’s food inflation slowed in January 2026, providing some relief to consumers after months of elevated price pressures. Year-over-year food inflation eased to 8.89% in January, down from 10.84% in December 2025.
The figures, updated on 16 February 2026, are based on a year-over-year comparison, with the current reading measuring the change in food prices in January 2026 versus January 2025. The previous indicator reflected the change in December 2025 compared with December 2024. The decline signals a moderation in the pace at which food prices are rising, even though households continue to face a higher cost of living than a year earlier.
Analysts and policymakers are likely to view the slowdown as a tentative sign of easing inflationary pressures in the food sector, a critical component of Nigeria’s consumer basket. However, with prices still growing on an annual basis, attention will remain focused on whether this deceleration can be sustained in the coming months.
