Food Prices in Lagos Soar Amid Rising Petrol Costs

In March 2026, food prices in Lagos markets experienced a significant surge attributed to rising petrol costs, which began increasing in late February. The Nairametrics research surveyed 68 food items across major markets including Mushin, Daleko, Mile 12, and Oyingbo, revealing sharp price increases.

For instance, the price of a medium bag of staple food rose from ₦32,000 in February to ₦80,000 in March, while a big bag jumped from ₦58,000 to ₦140,000, reflecting increases of 141% and 150%, respectively. The rise in fuel prices, which reached ₦960 per liter, compounded the inflationary pressures, particularly affecting transport logistics.

Notably, the price of brown beans increased from ₦50,000 to ₦85,500, marking a 70% rise. Despite widespread increases, a few items recorded price declines, primarily in grain and processed wheat-based products.

The survey highlighted that Lagos's dependency on food transport from other regions makes it particularly vulnerable to market shocks.