Business

Onion price rises over 100%, flooding, inflation blamed

Published

1 year ago

December 19, 2024

Onion market

Onion price rises over 100%, flooding, inflation blamed

For many homes, onion is already an item that is too expensive to afford and an alternative is needed on their menu. This is even as the price of the nutritious vegetable is forecasted to remain high for a long time.

A Daily Trust market survey across three major cities showed that the prices of the spice along with others are on the upward trajectory.

In Kano, our correspondent revealed that a big bag of onion is sold at N250,000 as against last year’s price of N120,000 and the medium bag is now selling at N180,000 as against N80,000 last year.

In Jos, the Plateau State capital, our correspondent reported similar prices as a bag is now N250,000 while the half bag, is sold at N125,000, and that there are other varieties with prices ranging from N215,000 to N230,000 for the same size bag.

The secretary of Farin Gada Vegetable Market in Jos, Musa Ubale, said the current price of onions (N250,000 a bag) has remained so for some time now, while it was hitherto sold at about N170,000 for the same quantity.

For pepper, he said the big bag goes for between N40,000 and N45,000, while smaller ones are sold for between N30,000 and N35,000.

The leadership of onion farmers in Kano State told our correspondent that the current scarcity and high price of onion may remain beyond this year’s harvest due to several reasons.

However, the president of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Aliyu Isa Maitasamu, told our correspondent in Sokoto that the increase was due to inflation which he said shot the price of seed to increase by 150 per cent – from N50,000 to N150,000 – as well as the high prices of chemicals and fertilisers.

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He also attributed the drop in supply to flood disasters experienced in the onion-producing belt and the scarcity of seeds, all contributing to the soaring price of the commodity in the country.

According to him, the flood disasters had affected Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Borno which were known for producing onions.

Musa Ubale, the secretary of Farin Gada Vegetable Market in Jos, also told our correspondent that part of the reason for the rise in the prices of the vegetables, especially pepper, is that people from neighbouring countries like Cameroon and Ghana do come to purchase them in large quantities.

But one of the onion farmers in Kano State, Alhaji Sama’ila Nura, cited another factor responsible for onion scarcity in Kano as the absence of onion supply from Gada in Niger Republic and some other places that used to complement the Nigerian onion production every year.

“Every year onion supplied from Niger Republic and some other places closer to Nigeria played a very vital role in complementing the Nigerian production. Unfortunately, with the military junta in Niger Republic, not a single supply was received from there.

“Moreover, the high cost of agro-inputs in Nigeria also contributed to the low production of onions during the wet season, with only Kano and Jigawa states producing onion during the wet season, coupled with poor storage methodologies,” he stated.

Currently, planting and other activities for dry season onion production for the year 2025 have commenced.

Our correspondent who visited the Kadawa irrigation site and Garun Malam irrigation site reported vast onion plantations for the season, even though farmers are still lamenting the high cost of inputs.

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The current prices of onion seed and other inputs are contributing to the high price heat felt in many homes.

A check conducted in the seed’s open market in Kano shows that a cup of onion seed is sold at N30,000 while a measure (mudu) costs about N130,000.

Sources at the market revealed that this is the highest price that onion seed has ever attained in the last decade. A single bed of onion seedlings is now sold at N100,000 to N105,000 as against N8,000 to N10,000 last year.

Another farmer, Ibrahim Abbah, opined that the chances that the price will go down as expected is very slim due to the increase in demand from other countries.

“It will interest you to note that demand for onion from Nigeria has been on the rise recently. Ironically, Nigeria now supplies Ghana, Benin Republic among other African countries. This is what caused the scarcity sooner than expected; because they have moped up all the excess onions we have here,” he said.

An ex-official of the Onion Farmers Association of Nigeria, Malam Mustapha Adam, said there are various factors that have contributed to the current scarcity of onion in the country.

“The demand for onion has increased drastically; some sources were telling us that Nigerian onions are now being exported to countries like China and India. This development has contributed to its scarcity, and the high cost of seed and other agro-inputs have also triggered the price hike.

“Unfortunately, despite the huge revenue generated to states by onion farming, onion farmers have never accessed any form of grant from the federal government. We have never been included in the various federal government’s agricultural intervention programmes,” he said.

With this changing dynamic in the onion and pepper supply chain, Nigerian kitchens will have to brace up for the additional challenge.

Onion price rises over 100%, flooding, inflation blamed

Daily Trust

Auto

Soaring Fuel Prices Drive Nigerians Toward Electric Vehicles

Published

15 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Soaring Fuel Prices Drive Nigerians Toward Electric Vehicles

Rising fuel prices in Nigeria are accelerating interest in electric vehicles (EVs) as households, transport operators, and businesses seek cost-effective alternatives to petrol- and diesel-powered cars. Experts say the spike in petrol costs is no longer just an economic concern but a turning point, pushing electric mobility from a futuristic idea into a practical solution for everyday commuting and commercial use.

At the Abuja Compact on Electric Mobility Roundtable, stakeholders highlighted how increasing transport expenses are reshaping decisions, especially among commercial drivers and small business owners. Rising fuel costs are prompting many Nigerians to see EVs as a survival strategy rather than a luxury option.

Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Ismaeel Ahmed, explained that the removal of fuel subsidies has widened the cost gap between petrol-powered vehicles and EVs. Charging an EV for a 200-kilometre journey costs around ₦4,500, compared to roughly ₦22,500 for petrol vehicles — a difference that offers a “strong economic incentive” influencing consumer choices. Ahmed added that the federal government is pursuing a balanced transition strategy supporting both compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles to encourage sustainable energy alternatives.

Financial solutions are helping Nigerians overcome the high upfront costs of EVs. Mohammed Abdul, Divisional Head at Alternative Bank, noted that lease-to-own, pay-as-you-go, and partnership schemes are making EVs accessible to drivers in the informal transport sector. These financing models allow gradual adoption while easing financial burdens.

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Industry leaders also see wider economic benefits from EV adoption. Yusuf Suleiman, CEO of Bankrol Camel EV and Blue Camel Energy Ltd, said EV investments could improve energy access, boost industrial growth, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fossil fuels. Ahmed Garba Ahmed, COO of Bankrol Camel EV, added that EVs can cut energy costs per kilometre by up to 60%, benefiting ride-hailing drivers, logistics companies, and fleet operators.

Dapo Adesina, President of the Electric Mobility Promoters Association of Nigeria (EMPAN), explained that EV adoption can strengthen Nigeria’s power sector. Solar-powered charging hubs can simultaneously power vehicles and supply electricity to nearby communities, particularly in underserved areas. Private sector initiatives are also supporting Nigeria’s EV transition. Companies like SolarCity Gas are deploying superfast EV charging stations across key urban hubs and petrol stations, expanding the country’s charging infrastructure to meet growing demand.

Despite growing adoption, electric mobility in Nigeria faces challenges such as limited electricity infrastructure and inconsistent power supply. Analysts warn that significant investments in charging networks and supportive policies are necessary for sustainable EV growth. Nevertheless, with fuel prices remaining high, EVs are increasingly viewed as economically smart and environmentally friendly alternatives, offering Nigerians a viable solution to rising transport costs.

Soaring Fuel Prices Drive Nigerians Toward Electric Vehicles

Business

Rite Foods, BJAN champion consumer safety at Ososa factory tour

Published

16 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Rite Foods, BJAN champion consumer safety at Ososa factory tour

By Daphne Uduneje

To commemorate World Consumer Rights Day 2026, the Brand Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (BJAN) partnered with Rite Foods Limited to host a high-level stakeholder engagement at the company’s ultra-modern manufacturing plant in Ososa, Ogun State.

Under the theme “Safe Products, Confident Consumers,” the event combined rigorous policy discourse with a firsthand look at the cutting-edge technology behind one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous brands.

The journey began at Rite Foods’ Lagos office, transitioning from the city’s urban bustle to the expansive, scenic greenery of the Ososa facility. For the journalists in attendance, the factory’s exterior—a sprawling, sophisticated complex—signalled a facility capable of competing on a global scale.

Inside, the hum of precision machinery served as the backdrop for the day’s discussions. Olufemi Ajileye, General Manager for Operations at Rite Foods, welcomed guests by emphasizing that safety is the bedrock of their market strategy.

Since breaking into the carbonated soft drink sector, Rite Foods has leveraged advanced technology and stringent quality controls—including international laboratory testing for water purity—to earn and maintain public trust.

Despite improvements in legislation, speakers noted a persistent gap in consumer awareness. Sola Salako-Ajulo, founder of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), described consumer confidence as the “oxygen of any market.”

To empower the public, she unveiled the CAFON Consumers Companion (3C), an AI-powered platform designed to educate Nigerians on their rights and provide a roadmap for dispute resolution.

“Consumers often feel powerless,” she noted, “but technology can bridge the gap between grievance and redress.”

The Regulatory Stance

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and NAFDAC reaffirmed their commitment to enforcement:

FCCPC: Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello (represented by Olubunmi Dorcas Otti) urged businesses to maintain transparency, noting that economic participation thrives only when safety is guaranteed.

NAFDAC: Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye (represented by Tinuola Akinnubi) reminded attendees that consumer rights are legally enforceable obligations, highlighting the importance of “technological traceability” in the modern market.

BJAN Chairman Daniel Obi emphasized that the association had sustained this initiative for over a decade because consumer protection is a collective burden.

“It is not the responsibility of regulators alone,” Obi stated. “Businesses, media, and civil society must work in harmony.”

The event concluded with a guided tour of the production floor. Journalists observed a seamless, automated “dance” of technology where drinks were corked, labeled, and packaged with surgical precision.

As the delegation departed Ososa, the takeaway was clear: building a “confident consumer” requires more than just marketing—it requires the transparency of the factory floor and the accountability of the boardroom.

Business

NNPC Boosts Crude Supply to Dangote Refinery to Address Rising Fuel Prices

Published

22 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

NNPC Boosts Crude Supply to Dangote Refinery to Address Rising Fuel Prices

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has raised the allocation of crude oil cargoes to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from five to seven cargoes for May 2026, a strategic move aimed at strengthening domestic fuel production and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported crude amid rising petrol prices.

According to Reuters, two trade sources and a senior refinery official confirmed the development. “NNPC has allocated more cargoes to Dangote Refinery for May. While this will not completely meet our demands, it can help. We are also in negotiation with NNPC for additional volumes,” the official said.

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For April 2026, the refinery will continue to receive the five cargoes previously allocated, as the increase only takes effect in May. Dangote Refinery CEO, David Bird, had earlier stated that the plant typically requires 13 to 15 cargoes per month under the crude-for-naira programme, but currently receives only five. The shortfall has forced the refinery to import additional crude at premiums of up to $18 per barrel above Brent crude prices, driven by global market disruptions, including the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict.

The refinery, which has a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has been increasing gasoline supplies to Nigeria’s domestic market, currently meeting over two-thirds of daily petrol demand, roughly 60 million litres. However, the limited crude supply has exposed the refinery to global price volatility, prompting multiple ex-gantry price adjustments in March 2026 — from ₦774 to ₦1,275 per litre, before settling at ₦1,200 per litre.

Analysts say the increased allocation of crude cargoes will help ease the pressure on domestic petrol prices and provide a buffer against international crude market fluctuations, but the refinery still relies partly on imports to meet its full operational capacity. The move underscores NNPC’s commitment to supporting local refining capacity and ensuring energy security in Nigeria.