In Nigeria, preparing a single pot of jollof rice now costs N25,486 in March 2025, up from N21,300 in September 2024.
The price of the well-liked dish has increased by almost 19%.
The most recent SBM Jollof Index report, “Staple Under Stress,” made this revelation.
A research and communications firm called SBM Intelligence said it examined the fluctuations in food costs from the final quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025.
According to the survey, the primary causes of the increase are the growing costs of essential commodities including rice, beef, turkey, pepper, and onions.
In order to keep tabs on changes in food prices throughout Nigeria, the SBM Jollof Index calculates the cost of cooking jollof rice, a staple dish.
According to the survey, one of the most costly components of the meal is still protein, particularly turkey.
“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.
It also blamed the rise in food prices on insecurity in food-producing areas, which has made it harder to get farm products to markets.
It added that high transport and energy costs are also pushing prices higher.
The report looked at how much it costs to cook a pot of jollof rice for a family of five across 13 markets in Nigeria, comparing figures from September 2024 to March 2025.
While some areas saw stable prices briefly in late 2024, food prices went up again 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.
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