Inflation hits 24.2% in March as food prices rise

Nigeria recorded increased Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation, in March, reaching 24.23 per cent when compared with the February figure.

The report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Tuesday noted that the figure was a 1.05 percent increase from the 23.18 percent recorded in February.

“Looking at the movement, the March 2025 Headline inflation rate showed an increase of 1.05% compared to the February 2025 Headline inflation rate. Furthermore, on a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in March 2025 was 3.90%, which was 1.85% higher than the rate recorded in February 2025 (2.04%).

“This means that in March 2025, the rate of increase in the average price level is higher than the rate of increase in the average price level in February 2025.”

It explained that contributions of items on the divisional level are food and non-alcoholic beverages, 9.28 percent; restaurants and accommodation services, 2.99 percent; transport, 2.47 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, 1.95 percent, education services 1.44 percent, health 1.40 percent.

It said food inflation rate in March 2025 was 21.79 percent on a year-on-year basis.

“However, on a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in March 2025 was 2.18 percent, up by 0.50 percent compared to February 2025 (1.67 percent),” the NBS added.

It attributed the increase to the rise in the average prices of ginger (fresh), garri (Yellow), broken rice (ofada), honey (natural production), crabs, potatoes, plantain flour, periwinkle (unshelled), pepper (fresh), etc.