The price of cooking a pot of jollof rice in Nigeria has gone up by nearly 20 per cent, rising from N21,300 in September 2024 to N25,486 in March 2025.
This was revealed in the latest SBM Jollof Index report released on Tuesday. The report, titled “Staple Under Stress”, was published by SBM Intelligence, a research and communications group.
According to the report, the rise in prices of key ingredients like rice, onions, pepper, beef, and especially turkey, has led to the sharp increase in the cost of preparing the popular meal.
“Turkey now costs between N8,000 and N10,500 per kilo, a big jump from the N1,500 to N1,700 it cost back in 2016,” the report said.
The Jollof Index is a tool used to measure the cost of cooking a standard pot of jollof rice for a family of five. It checks food prices across 13 major markets in Nigeria.
SBM explained that insecurity in farming areas, high cost of transport, and rising energy prices are all making food more expensive.
“Insecurity continues to be a pressing concern, with incidents such as the killing of farmers in Benue, Borno and Plateau States disrupting agricultural activities and limiting the local food supply,” the report added.
It also pointed out that the increase in electricity tariffs and high petrol prices are putting more pressure on Nigerian households.
“The national average rose by 19.7 per cent, increasing from N21,300 in September to N25,486 in March, highlighting worsening food inflation and its deepening impact on household nutrition and spending,” the report said.
Although some markets saw a short period of stable prices late last year, food costs picked up again in early 2025, showing that inflation remains a serious problem for many families across the country.
