March 23, 2025
ABUJA — Residents of the Federal Capital Territory are grappling with skyrocketing food prices as inflation continues to affect household budgets across the nation’s capital.
A market survey conducted by The Capital Mirror across major markets in Abuja, including Wuse, Garki, Utako, and Nyanya, reveals that prices of staple food items have increased by an average of 35% in the last three months.
At Garki Market, a bag of local rice now sells for ₦110,000, up from ₦85,000 in December 2024. Similarly, a bag of beans has risen from ₦65,000 to ₦92,000, while a crate of eggs now costs ₦5,200, compared to ₦3,800 three months ago.
A female trader at Wuse Market attributed the price increases to multiple factors. “The cost of transportation has gone up significantly due to fuel prices. Farmers are also facing security challenges in many parts of the country, which has affected production and supply,” she explained.
For many families, the rising food prices have necessitated drastic adjustments to their spending habits. A civil servant residing in Lugbe lamented, “My salary hasn’t increased, but food prices keep going up. We’ve had to cut down on protein and focus more on carbohydrates just to ensure the family has something to eat.”
The National Bureau of Statistics recently reported that the food inflation rate hit 32.5% in February 2025, the highest in six years. Economic analysts predict the trend may continue in the coming months unless significant interventions are implemented.
An economist at the University of Abuja suggested that the situation calls for both immediate and long-term solutions. “In the short term, the government needs to enhance its strategic food reserves and possibly consider food subsidies for vulnerable populations. Long-term solutions should focus on boosting agricultural production, improving security in farming communities, and investing in food processing and storage infrastructure,” the expert advised.
In response to the crisis, several community-based initiatives have emerged across the FCT. The “Abuja Food Share” program, launched by a coalition of NGOs, has established community gardens in various satellite towns and organizes weekly food exchanges where residents can trade excess produce.
The FCT Administration has announced plans to establish farmers’ markets in each area council to eliminate middlemen and reduce the cost of food items for residents.
The Capital Mirror will continue to monitor food prices across the FCT and report on government interventions and community initiatives addressing the crisis.
