By Helen Okechukwu and Fatimah Idera
As preparations for the 2025 Christmas and end-of-year festive celebrations draw closer, Nigerians, including buyers and sellers across regions, remain optimistic about a reduction in food prices across markets despite the increasing rate of insecurity and other human challenges.
Data retrieved from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that as of November 2025, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 130.5, surpassing the previous month’s figure of 128.9 by a margin of 1.6 points.
With this increase, monthly inflation climbed to its highest level in four months, largely driven by food-price inflation linked to heightened festive demand and persistent supply challenges.
Following this development, New Daily Prime visited several markets across the South-West to ascertain the prices of food items as the festive period approaches.
Traders were seen going about their daily business under the scorching sun as sounds from cars, motorcycles and tricycles, popularly known as “Keke Napep,” erupted.
Most traders and buyers who spoke with New Daily Prime correspondents shared price updates on major food items, indicating relative stability across most commodities, with only slight fluctuations as demand rises ahead of the festive season.
Visiting one of the busiest markets, Apata Market, located in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, our correspondent learnt that a 25-litre bottle of unsealed groundnut oil sells for N61,000, while a 35-litre sealed bottle goes for N65,000.
A 50kg bag of rice sells for N57,000, while a congo (measuring cup) goes for N2,100. A 50kg bag of garri (processed cassava) is sold for between N28,000 and N38,500.
During the visit, sellers disclosed that prices have remained the same since November.
Survival remains a Christmas miracle
A commercial motorcyclist, who asked to remain anonymous while waiting for his passengers to purchase food items at the busy Apata Market, painted a grim picture of daily survival amid rising food prices in an interview with our correspondent.
He said that despite leaving home early in the morning and not returning until late at night, he barely makes N10,000 per day.
He added that in November, a cup of rice was sold to him for N200, but it is now sold for between N250 and N300.
“One congo is almost N2,500,” he lamented, adding that most commodities, including non-edible items, are expensive.
“Our cries don’t go anywhere,” he added quietly. “We cry within ourselves.”
For Aiyenuwa Promise, another resident at Ikorodu Market in Lagos State, food item prices vary, as a big bag of rice of approximately 50kg is sold at N70,000.
Speaking further, he alleged that as of last year, a big bag of rice was sold for N50,000, while 1kg of cooking oil cost between N3,000 and N4,500.
“Tomatoes and peppers depend on the quantity you want,” he said. “Their prices start from N500. Likewise, as of last year, onions were sold for as low as N50, but now one can get them from N100 upwards.” He stated that food prices should be reduced.
Prices are coming down, but cash is not flowing
Bode Adaramaja, a food item seller at Apata Market, offered a more nuanced view, noting that while prices of some items have eased compared to last year, weak purchasing power has continued to dampen market activity.
“Compared to last year, prices are actually coming down,” he said. “The basic truth is that last year prices were higher, but there was money in circulation. People could still afford to buy. This time around, cash is not flowing, and we didn’t experience this kind of situation last year.”
According to him, the festive season has forced many households to adjust their expectations.
“Everybody is cutting their coats according to their size. No matter what, people still want to celebrate Christmas, but they are only buying what they can afford,” he explained.
Adaramaja said his own family has also made compromises.
“What we buy for Christmas depends on whether we are celebrating with just our immediate family or with extended family. God has been faithful; we will still buy a cow and celebrate Christmas. But because of the cost of things in the market, we have removed drinks from our traditional Christmas list. Before, we bought in excess; now, we limit what we buy.”
Fawaz Adebisi, a resident of Ogun State, said the current season is more costly than previous ones due to the increase in the prices of certain food items in the market.
When our reporter asked Adebisi what the government could urgently do to make food more affordable, he responded that “the government should invest more in agriculture.”
Similarly, Fagbewesa Olawale, a resident of Ikorodu in Lagos State, said that food items such as rice, beans and semolina cost him a total of ₦60,000 during last year’s festive period, an amount almost double what he has set aside for this year’s celebrations as a young man living alone.
He noted that the rising cost of living has forced him to scale down his plans for Christmas and expressed hope that food prices would drop significantly.
Prices are unstable, but people will still buy what they love
Afeez Olanrewaju, a butcher whose shop is located at Apata Market, said price movements in the market have remained largely unstable throughout the year, making trading and festive planning difficult for both sellers and buyers.
According to him, despite the economic pressure, consumers are still prioritising foods they enjoy during the festive season.
“No matter how hard things are, people will still buy what they love to eat. Even if it is small, they will reduce the quantity, but they will still buy,” he explained.
Olanrewaju noted that seasonal cycles also play a role in price fluctuations. “There is a season for everything. Yam is expensive now, and at another time it will be cheaper,” he said.
On his Christmas plans, the meat seller said he had no fixed budget for the festive period but intended to celebrate with his family.
“I don’t have a specific amount I plan to spend, but I will still enjoy the season with my family,” he said.
While he does not plan to completely cut costs during the celebrations, Olanrewaju admitted to scaling back.
“I will not stop celebrating, but I have reduced the number of local dishes I usually prepare by about five,” he added.
A resident of Lagos State, Olugade Ayorinde, narrated that food items cost far more than during last year’s celebration.
“I have reduced my spending, and I’m doing everything according to my means,” he lamented.
He explained that he now prepares normal meals at minimal expense and is unable to save at the moment.
Ayorinde further urged the government to drastically reduce the prices of goods to enable the masses to afford them.
Prices are better, but still not enough
In contrast, Ms Charity Nweche, a buyer at Apata Market, said food prices have eased slightly compared to earlier in the year, though the cost of celebrating Christmas remains a major concern for many households.
“Food prices have come down a bit,” she said. “Before, a congo (measuring cup) of rice was about ₦3,000, and a bag of rice sold for as high as ₦80,000. Now, the price has come down.”
Despite the modest relief, Mrs Nweche said she plans to make the most of the festive season.
“I want to celebrate Christmas with joy. I want to move higher,” she said, adding that she intends to prepare her favourite traditional dish, Ofè édè.
Government appeal
Adaramaja, like other Nigerians who spoke with our correspondents across the region, stressed that the challenge goes beyond wage increases.
“The government should work generally on the economy. It’s not about increasing the minimum wage because not everybody earns a salary. If wages go up and prices of other goods also go up, it will affect all of us,” he said.
“What we need is for cash to flow and for the prices of commodities to come down,” he added.
