₦airaland Forum

Fresh economic pressure is hitting millions of Nigerians as food inflation surged above 20 per cent in at least 11 states across the country, according to the latest report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The report revealed that food inflation climbed to 16.06 per cent in April 2026, overtaking Nigeria’s headline inflation rate of 15.69 per cent for the first time in eight months.

The development signals renewed pressure on household spending and worsening hardship for many Nigerians already battling rising living costs.

Enugu, Kwara, Adamawa Among Worst Hit

According to the report, the states with the highest food inflation rates were:

• Enugu — 32.7%

• Kwara — 30.8%

• Adamawa — 30.1%

• Rivers — 26.8%

• Delta — 23.9%

• Bauchi — 23.7%

• Edo — 23.0%

• Zamfara — 22.0%

• Gombe — 21.6%

• Anambra — 20.8%

• Benue — 20.1%

The NBS stated that the rising food prices were largely driven by increases in:

• Garri

• Tomatoes

• Beans

• Yam

• Beef

• Pepper

• Crayfish

• Potatoes

• Plantain

• Millet

• Wheat grain

• Soybeans

Nigerians Spending More On Food Again

The latest figures suggest food prices have once again become the biggest driver of inflation in Nigeria after months where transport, energy, rent, and other services contributed more heavily to rising costs.

The report also showed that rural communities were suffering more from inflation than urban areas.

Rural inflation stood at 16.36 per cent compared to 15.40 per cent in urban areas, highlighting the impact of insecurity, transportation problems, poor storage systems, and weak distribution networks affecting food supply.

Fresh Warning: Millions May Face Hunger

In another worrying development, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network warned that between 16 million and 16.99 million Nigerians could require urgent food assistance by November 2026.

The organisation listed Nigeria among countries expected to record some of the world’s highest humanitarian food needs alongside:

• Sudan

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Yemen

According to the report, insecurity, poor purchasing power, and weak agricultural production continue to worsen food access across parts of Nigeria.

Experts Warn Nigerians May Face More Hardship

Economic experts say the rising cost of transportation, fuel, electricity, logistics, and insecurity in farming communities are pushing food prices even higher.

Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf, warned that the country’s inflation problem remains largely structural and cannot be solved by interest rate increases alone.

He explained that high diesel prices, logistics costs, insecurity, and poor infrastructure were all contributing heavily to food inflation.

The Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chinyere Almona, also said inflation continues to hurt businesses, manufacturers, traders, and low-income households despite slight signs of economic moderation.

Cost Of Living Crisis Deepens

Although inflation has reduced significantly compared to the 26.82 per cent recorded in April 2025, many Nigerians say they are yet to feel any real relief due to the continued rise in food prices and declining purchasing power.

Analysts believe the government may need stronger reforms targeting:

• Food production

• Energy supply

• Transportation

• Security in farming areas

• Local manufacturing

to slow down the worsening cost-of-living crisis affecting millions across the country

Bandits still holding my wife despite N20m ransom payment, — Kwara pastor


The pastor of the Evangelical Church of West Africa in Omugo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Sunday Omole, has lamented that bandits are still holding his wife and other abducted residents despite receiving N20m ransom and other items from victims’ families.

Omole, who spoke with journalists on Friday, accused the abductors of repeatedly extorting families through fresh ransom demands while refusing to release the victims.

He called on the government to launch a coordinated military operation to clear forests linking Kwara, Kogi and Niger states.

The pastor said the abductors recently increased their demand to N300m after allegedly receiving N20m ransom last month alongside food items, petrol, red oil, seasoning and other supplies.

“Since we took N20m ransom to the terrorists together with five bags of rice, four kegs of 30 litres petrol, one keg of red oil, one packet of Maggi, and N40,000 worth of hard drugs, we have been expecting our people.

“It is almost a month now, precisely since April 29, 2026, and they refused to release them,” he lamented.

Omole said the kidnappers had continued to collect ransom from affected families without freeing victims.

He said, “Another young man was kidnapped three weeks ago. They collected ransom of N2m about three days ago and they still refused to release him.

“The young man was returning from his farm where he went to look for what to eat and they abducted him. That is what we are passing through. It has not been easy.”

The pastor urged the Federal Government to take decisive action against the armed groups by storming forest belts believed to be their hideouts.

“It is the government that can do it. If the government is ready, they can stop this menace happening in our area. Government can raid the forests and get rid of them with the help of the Air Force and the land army. They can do it easily.

“According to what people are saying, these people are not more than 400. Even if they are up to 500, the government can handle them. They are the ones that can help us,” he said.

Omole also criticised the security response in the area, alleging that soldiers deployed to Omugo community did not enter the forests where the kidnappers operate.

“Each time they send in soldiers, the soldiers will not reach the forest side. They will just be walking around the community and say they are working. The soldiers never entered the real forests where the terrorists are,” he alleged.

Speaking on his personal ordeal since the abduction of his wife, the cleric said he had been devastated and emotionally overwhelmed.

“I have been devastated. It has not been easy. It has become an issue and a war in my bones. Up till now they have not released my wife. They are still demanding N300m. Each time they call, they ask us how much we have raised. It is like they want to be exploiting us,” he said.

Omole disclosed that he had since relocated from Omugo community, adding that the area had become deserted and church activities suspended.

“I have moved out of Omugo. The community is deserted. We have closed the church since that incident. I have not stepped my foot in the church since that incident,” he said.

He further noted that despite the deployment of about 10 police officers following the incident, kidnappings had continued in the area.

“The community built a security post and immediately after the incident, the Commissioner of Police sent about 10 police officers. They are the ones policing Omugo now,” he said.

Asked how another victim was abducted despite the security presence, he replied, “They kidnapped the person on his farm.”

On communication with his abducted wife, Omole said he had only once heard her voice during ransom delivery.

“We have not been hearing her voice, but the day we took ransom to them, I heard her voice and she was happy. Since then, I have not been able to hear her voice,” he said.

He also expressed frustration over what he described as lack of progress in tracking the abductors despite security efforts.

“Each time they come, they collect phone numbers for tracking, but till now we have not heard any positive response from the police or the government,” he said.

Omole said he believed the kidnappers were operating within the forest belt linking Kwara, Kogi and Niger states.

“There is a forest that leads from Omugo to Kogi State and the same forest leads to Niger State, so they should be in that area,” he said.

He also lamented the absence of government communication or support since the incident occurred.

“Not even a greeting from the government. There was no statement by the government about what happened in Omugo and they have not reached out to us. It is only the church that has stood by us,” he said.

The abduction in Omugo community dates back to Sunday, March 22, 2026, when armed men invaded the church during a Sunday service in an attack that left worshippers in panic.

The gunmen reportedly shot sporadically to disperse the congregation before abducting eight worshippers, including the pastor’s wife and elderly members of the church, some of whom were said to be over 70 years old.

Security forces comprising police, military personnel and local vigilantes later launched a swift response, rescuing three of the victims during the operation.

However, the attackers initially demanded about N1bn ransom, later reduced to N150m after negotiations.

The incident was also reported as the third major attack on the Omugo community within six months, forcing many residents to flee their homes and further worsening insecurity in the area.

The newly elected President of the Adekunle Ajasin University Students’ Union, Folagbade Greatness Ayoola, popularly known as “Greatness of AAUASU,” has appointed about 40 aides and special advisers shortly after assuming office.

According to a memo released by the union leadership, the appointments were made to ensure effective administration and smooth coordination of the students’ union government.

The appointments covered several positions including Chief of Staff, personal assistants, directors and special advisers across different sectors.

Some of the portfolios created include media and publicity, health services, ICT, security affairs, academic matters, transportation, sports, budgeting and social media engagements.

The development has already started generating reactions among students and social media users online.

Kanwulia:
Wetin do im own party?
Not qualified to be “opposition”?🤷🏾‍♀️

fuckingAyaya:
A country that can't boast of 2hours light and security is the what?

Tenses:
Did they declare their support from the bush while bidding from bandits?


Old fuulish men.

aswani:
You people should expect more of this nonsense from Obidients as election nears.