The cost of preparing a pot of jollof rice in Nigeria has surged from N21,300 in September 2024 to N25,486 by March 2025, reflecting a nearly 19 percent spike in the price of the beloved dish.
This revelation comes from the latest “Staple Under Stress” report released by SBM Intelligence, a research and communications firm known for tracking economic and social trends in Nigeria.
The report examines food price fluctuations between the final quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, with a particular focus on jollof rice — a staple meal that offers insight into broader food inflation trends across the country.
According to SBM, escalating prices of essential ingredients such as pepper, onions, turkey, beef, and rice are driving the overall increase in cooking costs.
The Jollof Index, a tool developed by SBM Intelligence, serves to monitor the average expense involved in making jollof rice, and by extension, assess changes in food affordability nationwide.
“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 stated, emphasizing that protein — especially turkey — remains one of the priciest elements of the dish.
The report attributes the food price hike to a combination of factors, notably worsening insecurity in key agricultural regions, which hampers food transportation from farms to urban markets.
In addition, soaring transportation and energy expenses are compounding the problem.
The index surveyed the cost of making jollof rice for a five-member household across 13 different markets in Nigeria, comparing data from September 2024 to March 2025.
Although there was a brief period of price stability in late 2024, food prices resumed their upward trend in early 2025.
“For instance, petrol prices have remained elevated, and electricity tariffs for Band A users have increased, adding to household financial strain. 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 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.
