A market survey conducted by the African Health Report (AHR) at Gosa, a popular Friday market along Airport Road in Abuja, has revealed alarming price hikes in essential food items.
The survey, conducted on the 15th of March 2024, showed that prices of basic food commodities have more than doubled in recent weeks.
The price of a mudu of sugar, which was previously N1,500, has surged to N3,100, marking an increase of over 106 per cent in just one week. Similarly, a crate of eggs, a vital source of protein for many, has seen its price rise from N2,100 to N3,600, with individual eggs now selling for N150 each.
Garri, a staple food for many Nigerians, has also experienced a significant price hike, with the cost of a Mudu of yellow garri jumping from N600 to N900. Also, the price of a bag of pure water, a widely consumed source of clean drinking water, especially by low-class Nigerians, has soared from N250 to N600, while a single sachet now sells for N50.
These sharp increases in food prices have raised concerns among consumers, particularly those with limited financial resources.
The AHR’s findings align with the recent report from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics,( NBS), which indicates that the administration led by President Tinubu has experienced a significant increase in food inflation, rising from 24.48% to 38.92% in just nine months. This marks one of the highest food inflation rates observed in the country since 1999.
