General
SBM Intelligence’s Jollof Index Sees 153% Surge in Two Years
By Adedapo Adesanya
The cost of cooking a pot of Jollof Rice has surged by 153 per cent over the last two years, the latest Jollof Index released by SBM Intelligence has showed.
The report, titled From Pot to Poverty, reveals that the national average cost of preparing a single pot of Jollof Rice, a staple in many Nigerian homes has jumped from N10,864 in March 2023 to N27,527.85 by June 2025.
The rise in the cost shows how inflation has worsened the consumption ability of people, with the focus on Nigeria and Ghana, two West African counties where the delicacy is very common.
SBM Intelligence tracks the cost of Jollof Rice ingredients including rice, tomatoes, pepper, onions, oil, and seasoning for nearly a decade as a relatable metric for food affordability across Nigeria and Ghana.
The latest findings, however, highlight a sharp divergence between food inflation and the broader Consumer Price Index (CPI), signalling that rising food costs are now being driven by more entrenched structural issues.
According to the report, “Food inflation has decoupled from broader Consumer Price Index (CPI) trends, exposing entrenched supply-side challenges,” it said.
The index reveals wide regional disparities. In Bauchi State, for instance, the cost of Jollof ingredients has increased by over 400 per cent due to bandit attacks, farmer displacement, and drought conditions. The Northeast region recorded some of the steepest inflationary pressures, further exacerbated by insecurity that disrupts agricultural activities and inter-state food movement.
Meanwhile, urban centres such as Lagos and Abuja saw significant increases in food prices tied to the removal of petrol subsidies in 2023, which pushed up transportation costs. In turn, traders have passed these costs on to consumers, further straining already stretched household budgets.
Drawing comparison with Ghana, the report stated that the cost of preparing Jollof Rice rose to GH₵420 during the same period. However, Ghana’s inflation trajectory appears to be moderating. As of June 2025, Ghana’s headline inflation fell to 16.3 per cent, aided by currency stability and consistent macroeconomic policy efforts.
“In Ghana, the Jollof Index closely tracks the national CPI, suggesting a more responsive and effective economic environment,” SBM noted. “Nigeria’s disconnect highlights deeper structural dysfunction.”
It noted that Nigerian families are adapting through bulk buying, reducing meal frequency, and substituting ingredients, adding that for many low-income households, jollof rice is fast becoming a luxury.
The report added that food processors, retailers, and logistics providers face higher costs, lower consumer demand, and operational uncertainties.
The report urged companies to explore regional sourcing, build resilient supply chains, and hedge against further currency shocks.
To address the crisis, SBM called for urgent interventions: restore security in farming regions, fix transport infrastructure, and increase investment in local agriculture. It warns that without coordinated policy responses, Nigeria risks deeper food insecurity and social discontent.
“This report offers a granular analysis of food inflation’s drivers and impacts, providing actionable insights for stakeholders. Prioritising security, infrastructure, agricultural support, and resilient supply chains is paramount to safeguarding food security and ensuring sustainable economic stability across West Africa,” SBM said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its development partnership with Kano and Jigawa States, as part of its long-term commitment to development and reform in northern Nigeria.
The Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission Abuja, Ms Cynthia Rowe, recently completed high-level engagements with governors of both states as well as senior government officials and civil society leaders.
The discussions underscored the UK’s modern approach to development as a genuine partnership with Nigeria, which prioritises state-led ownership and sustainable development that delivers lasting impact through strengthening systems and partnerships grounded in investment, trade, climate financing, technical expertise and joint accountability.
According to a statement, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, via the British High Commission, said Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most significant development partners, adding that the engagements underlined the strength and ambition of the bilateral relationship reaffirmed during the recent UK-Nigeria State Visit.
In Kano, Ms Rowe met with Deputy Governor Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo and senior officials, including the newly confirmed Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the State Government. The visit recognised Kano’s progress on climate finance, health system reform and private sector investment supported through UK technical assistance.
In Jigawa, she met with Governor Umar Namadi and heads of key ministries, departments and agencies. The meeting celebrated more than 25 years of UK-Jigawa partnership, one of the most longstanding bilateral development relationships at the subnational level in Nigeria. Discussions covered the state’s continued progress on health systems reform, agriculture, and governance and the path forward under UK technical assistance.
Since 2022, PLANE has supported Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa to strengthen state-led education delivery systems, working through Ministries of Education, SUBEB and key agencies. Its RANA+ foundational learning packages have reached 1.4 million pupils across the three states, alongside wider system strengthening.
Speaking on this, Ms Rowe said, “For more than 25 years, we have worked side by side with state governments, including Jigawa and Kano states, their communities, and civil society to build stronger health systems, improve learning outcomes for millions of children, support farmers to grow their businesses, and help states attract the investment they need to thrive.
These visits have reinforced our confidence in what this partnership can achieve. We are working together to deliver lasting change, and deepening a relationship built on genuine mutual respect and shared ambition for Nigeria’s growth and development.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on data sharing to enhance economic productivity.
This was done at a meeting at CBN Head Office in Abuja, where the weather body led by its Director General, Mr Charles Anosike, on Wednesday, highlighted the importance of integrating weather and climate data into economic research, especially in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and transportation.
He noted that extreme weather events can reduce agricultural productivity and threaten food security.
He added that the collaboration aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises food security through major agricultural investment, including the cultivation of 10 million hectares of land and the distribution of mechanised equipment.
Mr Anosike cited a 2026 World Bank report that showed that extreme weather driven by climate change is significantly affecting global food security, with more than 87 million people facing hunger in East and Southern Africa and 52 million in West and Central Africa.
He also referenced the latest Berkeley Earth Report, which projects that 2026 is likely to be the fourth warmest year on record, a trend that continues to shape agricultural and energy market projections.
In his remarks, Mr Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate of the CBN, said the signing of the MoU marked an important step in strengthening the partnership between two key national institutions whose mandates intersect in data, research, and policy support.
He emphasised that, in an increasingly complex and dynamic economic environment, timely and reliable data remain essential for effective policy decisions.
According to him, the Economic Policy Directorate relies heavily on timely and credible statistical information from NiMet, saying that such data are critical for inflation monitoring, agricultural sector assessment, and broader economic policy advisory functions.
He described the initiative as both timely and important, adding that strong institutional partnerships are essential for strengthening evidence-based policymaking and improving the robustness of national data systems.
At the close of the event, Mr Anosike and Mr Sani Abdullahi signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Tunji Disu, has ordered an immediate nationwide ban prohibiting Point-of-Sale (POS) operators from running their businesses within a 200-metre radius of any police station, divisional headquarters, or police formation across Nigeria.
This directive, released via an internal police wireless message, addresses critical systemic challenges regarding extortion and corrupt financial practices within law enforcement facilities.
The order is to be strictly enforced nationwide, with senior officers overseeing various formations to be held accountable for any breach of the directive.
The Nigeria Police Force stated that the measure is intended to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the policing system.
The decision comes after an alarming proliferation of POS businesses near police facilities, with investigations and public complaints revealing that some operators were actively complicit in facilitating extortion, bribery, and illegal cash transfers forced upon civilians or suspects during police encounters.
Under the directive, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), State Commissioners of Police (CPs), and heads of formations will be held vicariously liable for any breach within their jurisdictions.
The IGP’s order states: “Any officer or POS merchant found flouting the 200-metre operational boundary or colluding in illicit transactions will face immediate disciplinary and criminal actions under extant laws.
“If you are a POS agent or looking into regulatory compliance for financial services in Nigeria, let me know. I can provide details on current Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) radius registration guidelines or share methods to report officer misconduct directly to the Force Headquarters.”
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