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Foodstuffs Prices Escalate As Ramadan Approaches – Survey

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As the Ramadan fast starts today,  the prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities have escalated in most markets across the country, according to a national survey conducted by our correspondent.

The Tide correspondents, who monitored market prices in some state capitals, report that the prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities, such as fruits, vegetables, eggs and beverages that are in high demand during the Ramadan fast had soared.

Traders attributed some of the reasons for the hike in price to the Ramadan fast, the increase in the minimum wage of workers, high cost of transportation and increase in the cost of diesel, amongst others.

The Tide’s source in Birnin Kebbi the Kebbi capital, who visited some markets in the town, reports that the prices of rice, beans, fruits, beverages, cooking oil had gone up.

Some traders in the market visited, attributed the rising cost of fruits to “high demand during the Ramadan fast, increase in the minimum wage of workers, in addition to personal costs incurred by retailers from suppliers”.

The survey in some markets in Kebbi showed that the prices of a bag of the various brands of imported rice had gone up to between N9,500 and N10,000 as against the former price of between N7,500 and N8,000 some days ago.

Similarly, a bag of beans, which formerly sold for between N6,500 and N7,000 had also increased to N8,000.

The price of fruits like oranges, pineapples and banana had also witnessed increases with a bag of oranges being sold for between N7,000 and N7,500 from N4,000 and N5,000 some few days ago.

A big bunch of banana is sold for between N700 and N1,000, while the price of water melon remained fairly stable at between N150 and N200.

Malam Muhammadu Bala, who deals on fruits in Kara market in Birnin Kebbi metropolis, attributed the rising cost of fruits to “the Ramadan fast, increase in the minimum wage of workers, in addition to personal costs incurred by retailers”.

The survey also showed that the price of perishable goods like tomatoes had gone up with a big basket of the commodity selling for between N9,500 and N12,000 as against the former price of between N8,500 and N9,000.

An Islamic scholar in Birnin Kebbi, Sheikh Abubakar Giro, who decried the high cost of foodstuff at the start of the Ramadan period, appealed to traders to shun the craze to make quick money during the period.

The Tide correspondent in Onitsha, Anambra, reports that prices of imported food items like rice, frozen fish, and vegetable oil moved up by 10 per cent during the last few days.

The cost of frozen fish had increased with a medium sized fish selling for between N250 and N350 as against the former price of between N130 and N180.

Ten litres of foreign vegetable oil, which formerly sold for between N2,800 and N3,000 is now selling for between N3,500 and N4,000 depending on the brand, while a bag of big brown beans is now being sold for N17, 200 as against the former price of N15,000.

The prices of fruits such as oranges, water melon and cucumber had also witnessed increases.

Like in the other states visited, the prices of foodstuffs like rice and essential commodities like eggs, milk, sugar, onions and fruits had increased in Gombe State.

Malam Muhammad Sanusi, who deals on provision in the state capital, told our source that 50 kg bag of foreign rice now cost N10,000 as against the former price of N8,500 while the price of a crate of eggs has increased from N700 to N800.

A tomato seller, Malam Buba Muhammadu, said the price of a basket of tomatoes had gone up to N7,000 as against the old price of between N6,000 and N6,500.

Sanusi attributed the hike in the cost of these items to the Ramadan fast and the N18,000 new minimum wage for workers.

Malam Abdulkarim Ahmed, Chairman, Fruit Sellers Association in Gombe, told our correspondent that the price of a bag of oranges had gone up from N5,000 to N7,000.

He said that the same apply for the other fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, water melon, banana, apple and cucumber.

Our source in Kano State reports that while the prices of fruits such as oranges, banana and water melon had slightly appreciated, the price of grains was either stable or had slightly reduced.

He said that one orange sell for between N20 and N30 as against the fornmer price of N10 to N15, while a bunch of banana sell for between N400 and N450, depending on the type and size.

However, unlike fruits, the price of grains had either remained stable or gone down in Kano. At Dawanau grains market and Kwanar Singer market in the ancient city, a measure of beans still sell for between N270 and N300, depending on the type.

The price of millet, sorghum and maize had stabilised at N150 per measure, while the price of sugar, a commodity in high demand during the fasting period, had reduced from N720 to N600 per measure and N8,000 per bag, as against N10,000.

From Uyo Akwa Ibom capital, the survey showed that the price of foodstuff had generally witnessed slight increases.

However, traders in Uyo, who spoke on the issue, said the price hike was not as a result of the Ramadan fast, but due to the introduction of the new minimum wage and increases in the cost of transportation

At Akpan Andem Entrepreneurial market in Uyo, the survey showed that the price of rice had gone up by six per cent.

Mr Udoh Obot, who deals on rice in the market, told our reporterthat the price of 50 kg bag of Stallion rice is now selling for N8,000 as against the old price of N7,500.

He said that the 100 kg bag of brown beans sell for N17,000 as against N15,500 two months ago.

Similarly, the price of beverages had escalated in Uyo with a 450g of dry peak milk selling for N700 as against the old price of between N600 and N650.

Emem Udofia, a sales girl in the market, said a tin of 450g of Bournvita sell for N550 while Ovaltine of the same quantity sell for N650 while a packet of St Louis sugar goes for N220 instead of N200 a month ago.

Udofia attributed the reasons for the price hike to the N18,000 new minimum wage for workers announced by the Federal Government.

“Since the government has increased the income of workers, we traders have no choice, but to increase the cost of our goods to meet with other expenses,” she said.

From Auchi in Edo, the survey showed that the while the price of rice and fish had gone up, those of other staple had remain relatively stable.

For instance, the price of a 50 kg bag of the various brands of rice had jumped from N6,500 to N7,500, while the price of fish also increased.

Mrs Mariamu Alasa, who sells fish in Auchi, told our source that the price of 20 kg carton of Sabina fish had increased from N4,500 last week to N5,000.

She attributed the hike to increase in the price of diesel and transportation.

“We only sell as we buy and like they told us in the cold room where we buy, the high cost of diesel is responsible for the price increase,” she said, adding that the price may increase further as the Ramadan fast approaches.

The survey also showed that the prices of tomatoes and onions had increased astronomically in Auchi and is expected to further increase as the fasting period approaches.

For instance, a basket of Hausa tomatoes had gone up by N2,000 within the last two weeks with tomatoes selling for N6,000, as against the former price of N4,000, while the price of a bag of onions had gone up to N8,000 from N7,000.

Mrs Akpete Osakwe, who sells tomatoes at Auchi market, attributed the increase to scarcity since tomatoes and onions were not harvested during the rainy season.

Meanwhile, some residents of Port Harcourt, the River capital, had expressed concern over the daily hike in the cost of foodstuffs and other essential commodities in the Garden City.

“If things continue this way, it will be extremely difficult for the unemployed to survive in Port Harcourt in the nearest future,” Mr Owus Ibinabo, one of the concerned residents, told The Tide’s source.

Mrs Ann Johnson another resident of the city, lamented that the since the introduction of the new minimum wage, the cost of food items and other commodities had sky rocketed in the city.

“The cost of commodities like sardine, maggi, onions, spices and other foodstuff have sky rocketed since traders heard of the minimum wage,” she said.

Worried by this daily increases, Mrs Ngozi Telema, who resides in the city, urged the government to intervene by setting up price control mechanism to avert “this indiscriminate hike in the prices of commodities”.

From Abakaliki in Ebonyi, the survey showed that the price of rams and other items had also increased with an average sized ram, which cost N13,000 some few weeks ago, now selling for N15,000, while the cost of a big ram jumped from N18,000 to N20,000.

Eight gallons of rice, which sold for N2, 500 had attracted additional N300, while a bag of beans had increased from N10,000 to N12, 000.

The price of a gallon of red oil has jumped from N4,400 to N5,000, while a gallon of groundnut oil increased to N4,700 from N4,400.

Mr Chukwudi Ibeh, a trader at Abakpa Main Market in Abakaliki, attributed the increase in prices of the commodities to the “harsh economic condition in the country”.

“Ebonyi like other Southern states of the country is dominated by Christians, so the Ramadan fast will not have much effect on the prices of goods in these states.

“The increases are due to the harsh economic condition in the country, which has led to inflation,” he said.

Ilorin the Kwara capital is not left out in escalating cost of food items and other essential commodities as the Ramadan fast draws nearer.

The survey showed that the cost of foodstuffs like rice, beans, semovita, yam and other ingredients had gone up in the town with a bag of Semovita selling for N1,700 instead of N1,450.

A food stuff seller, at Ipata market, Mrs Florence Adeoti, attributed the hike to the forthcoming Ramadan fast.

Mrs Memunat Yahaya-Mohammed, a house wife, who bemoaned the increases in the cost of food foodstuffs, said she could no longer maintain the food needs of her family of three.

She pleaded with the government to revive the Price Control Board to check the activities of shylock food sellers in order to make food affordable.

Unlike in most states in the country which recorded increases in the cost of foodstuffs and other commodities, the survey showed that the price of foodstuffs and other essential commodities had remained stable Damaturu, the Yobe capital.

For instance, the price of 50 kg bag of foreign rice had not changed from N8,000, millet still stands at N5,000 per a 100 kilogramme, while a bag of sugar still sell for N9,500.

Meanwhile, scarcity of tomatoes, pepper and fruits in Damaturu had led to the increase in their prices beyond the reach of the common man.

Malam Muhammadu Danfulani, a vegetable dealer on Gashua road told NAN that cost of the tomatoes and pepper sold in the state were from Plateau and Benue states.

“They (vegetables) are only scarce, but the money expended on transporting them to Yobe is very expensive,’’ he said, adding, “the multiple tax paid on these commodities have also increased their prices.”

Muhammadu expressed fears that the situation may get worse during the Ramadan fast period when the demand for the vegetables would become high.

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FG Flaggs Of Renewed Hope Employment  Initiative 

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As part of its programme to empower Young Nigerians with the necessary employability skills, the Federal Government, through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has flagged off the second phase of the “Renewed Hope Employment Initiative” (RHEI).
Performing the ceremony in Port Harcourt, the Director General of NDE, Silas Ali Agara, said the second phase of the programme will absorbed over 41,307 youths across the country.
Agara said the first phase of the programme, which was flagged off December 2024, successfully trained 32,692 unskilled and unemployed Nigerians in demand-driven skills across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the DG, who was represented by the Rivers State Coordinator of the Programme, Matthew Amala, “The strategic goals were increasing trainee employability, supporting small scale enterprises, promoting agricultural productivity, improving rural infrastructure and providing transient jobs.”
He said, over 5000 beneficiaries were resettled with loans and starter packs, while linkages to credit institutions for those that could not be accommodated under the Directorate’s soft loan scheme was ongoing.
“As we reflect on the achievements of the first phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, I’m excited that the second phase is being flagged off today.
“In the second phase, NDE will train 41,307 persons in over 30 skills set, ranging from vocational, entrepreneurial, agricultural, ICT, and activities in the public works sector.
“We have improved and digitalized our processes through a robust registration portal fully equipped with scalable backends and geofenced capabilities.
“This has made our processes more transparent, fair, equitable, as well as providing us with a credible database”, he said.
The DG said at the end of the training, a total of 14,457 will be resettled with starter packs to help them establish themselves in their chosen fields.
“It’s our sincere expectation that the participants would be equipped positively with skills to enhance their employability, foster entrepreneurship mindsets in them and improving livelihoods to contribute to their community and the economic growth of the Nation”, he added.
He said despite the challenges of limited budgetary resources, the NDE remains committed to equipping unemployed Nigerians with demand driven skills in order to empower these individuals to become employers of labour and future wealth creators.
John Bibor & Edidiong Johnson
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Kachikwu Makes Case For Increased NCI Fund To US$1bn … Timeline For Developing Oil Blocks

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Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Prof. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, has canvassed that the $450m Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) be increased to US$1bn.
He said the increase will be deployed to cater for the funding of mega oil and gas projects, setting up of pipe mills and manufacturing of other critical equipment needed in the oil and gas sector.
Kachikwu also recommended that oil and gas producing companies should provide timelines for developing oil and gas blocks, saying same condition should also be for firms that win industry contracts based on commitments of investments.
He made these recommendations on Monday at the Business Mentorship Lecture Series organised virtually by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The Tide gathered that the webinar drew nearly 500 participants via Zoom and the Board’s YouTube page.
The former minister, who served as the Chairman of NCDMB’s Governing Council from September 2016 to May 2019, stated that a larger NCI Fund will provide seed capital for developing blocks, accessing technology, skill sets and equipment.
According to him, the  fund should include contributions from operators, and other investors in the sector and not just government resources, expressing dismay that many awardees of oil blocks in Nigeria treat them like certificates of occupancy for land which has caused huge losses to the nation.
“I like to advise the Government to cancel oil blocks that are not developed after a prolonged period. We need to find a way to force performance in the industry. Some companies get contracts to import pipelines with proviso to invest locally. We need to begin to produce those equipment.
“You’ve to show the joint venture that you are setting up to produce pipes, where is the foreign partner with the funds and technology?  You need to give a timeline”, he said.
Speaking on the global investments space and how Nigeria can attract funding to the energy sector, the former minister argued that there was a lot of money waiting to be tapped, saying that however it is only going to countries where there is a perception of regularity.
“Nigeria’s image needs to improve, while the Government also needs to create the right investment climate to attract investment. There’s enough investment money out there if you have a holding of hands.
“They need to portray Nigeria as the place you can put money and get good returns. Government should consider co-investing with private companies if there are good prospect of returns”, he added.
The erstwhile Petroleum Minister lauded the transformation in the oil and gas sector with indigenous firms like Seplat, Aiteo, Oando Energy Resources, and Heirs Oil and Gas and others acquiring assets from divesting international oil companies (IOCs).
“Mere ownership transfers are insufficient without enhanced output, management, revenue returns and compliance with extant laws.
“My greatest fear is that without principled accounting, supervision, and effective oversight, indigenous companies may profit while the federal government loses revenue. There’s the need to involve local communities to avoid past disconnects that fueled conflicts”, Kachikwu said.
He also commended the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, for upholding the agency’s mission and recording significant strides since assumption of office.
Reflecting on the NCDMB  Scribe’s pivotal role in shaping the Board, Kachikwu emphasized that advancing local content was a core pillar of his tenure as Minister and chairman of the NCDMB Board, noting that local content is not just a slogan, but rather a tool for industrialisation, job creation, and knowledge transfer.
“There should be consistency of policies. For too long, foreign companies dominated every segment of the sector, while our people remained bystanders.
“My message to young professionals is clear: the oil industry may be facing disruption, but it is also full of opportunities. Careers in petroleum now demand more than technical skills. They require adaptability, creativity, and a deep sense of responsibility to both people and the environment.
“The industry is not just about barrels and dollars. it’s about national survival, community welfare, and the environment. Achieving your career goals is a marathon, not a sprint. Patience and endurance are essential. Self-Belief is Crucial.
“Confidence in yourself and your abilities will fuel your progress and help you overcome challenges. Principles matter: Let your ethics and integrity be a guiding light. Build relevant skill sets. Equip yourself with the skills that make you competitive and adaptable in the job market”, the former Minister urged.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB’s Director of Capacity Building, represented by the Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, underscored the Business Mentorship Lecture Series’ role in fostering trends and mind-sets for excellence.
Hee said the lecture series was organised in furtherance of the Board’s mandate in sections 67 and 70n of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010, to hold workshops and seminars to promote and advance Nigerian Content.
In his closing remarks, General Manager, Corporate Communications, NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, praised Kachikwu for sharing deep insights which benefitted stakeholders across the public and private sector of the energy sector.
He also thanked the guest lecture for his contributions to the NCDMB, recalling his sign-off on the Waltersmith Refinery investment, which became a successful project and the launch of the US$200m NCI Fund, which has grown into US$450m, now managed by the Bank of Industry and Nexim Bank.
“NCDMB has fully embraced its roles of enabling businesses, in addition to the traditional mandate of regulating and promoting local content. The Board is committed to supporting Nigerians and local oil and gas firms to grow sustainably in the sector, hence it organises the Business Mentorship Lecture Series.
“We want to assure you that this Mentorship series will continue as a key platform for engaging and educating stakeholders of the industry. I also want to urge interested listeners to visit NCDMB’s YouTube channel to watch the recording of the webinar”, he said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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FG Embarks On Sanitizing Mining Industry 

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The Federal Government has embarked on sanitizing the mining industry, as concrete steps are being taken through the Mining Cadastre’s office to put things in order.
Already, some of the mining licences have been revoked, and more mining licences will be revoked, as part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector, as well as to protect investors from fraudsters.
Director-General (DG) of the Mining Cadastre Office, Obadiah Nkom, who disclosed this on a live conversation on X (formerly Twitter), said the move was aimed at driving transparency and order in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
According to the DG of the Federal Government agency, the clean-up exercise, which covers expired, speculative, and inactive titles, is necessary to make room for genuine investors and ensure compliance with the law.
Nkom disclosed that the agency had identified about 4,709 licences, including 1,400 expired titles, 2,338 refused applications, and 971 notifications of grant where applicants failed to pay, which led  to an outright revocation by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.
The DG stressed that the revocation was not punitive but part of a deliberate sanitisation process to weed out speculators who hoard licences without adding value to the economy.
Nkom explained that the exercise had already boosted investor confidence in the sector.
“When you talk about backlog, for now, the ministry has had reasons to clear or revoke close to 4,709 mineral licenses. There were implementations in terms of revoked expiring titles of up to 1,400 licenses.
“We have had reasons to refuse  2,338 applications in the system. We have had a mineral title notification of 971. Can you imagine 971 notifications of grants that were notified, but did not come to pay.
“There are even instances where some people have collected the grants, but they refuse to pay. So what do we do? So this cleaning exercise that we are doing is to be able to now create that space in the minefield for people.
“So, imagine having over 4,709 erased from our system by way of revocations implemented. It has sanitised our sector, and investors now know that if they are not going to be involved in exploration and value addition, there will be consequences.
“We are cautious. We follow the law. And this is why I repeat, we have had 100 per cent success in litigations because we are an agency compliant with the provisions of the Act.
“Where we are wrong, we do not shy away from trapping ourselves and doing the right thing. I would hope that at the end of the day, we will not have any risk by following the provisions of the Act”, he said.
Recall that the minister in 2024 revoked 924 licenses over failure to pay statutory charges and fees due for the Federal Government through the Mining Cadastral Office.
He warned licensees yet to resume work on their mining projects to do so immediately.
Corlins Walter
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