Onion price rises over 100%, flooding, inflation blamed - Newstrends
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Onion price rises over 100%, flooding, inflation blamed

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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

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Policy Bottlenecks Threaten Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Drive, LCCI Warns

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August 1, 2026

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Policy Bottlenecks Threaten Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Drive, LCCI Warns

The Chairman of the Auto and Allied Sector Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Femi Eguahide, has warned that policy inconsistencies, regulatory bottlenecks and weak coordination between the public and private sectors could derail Nigeria’s clean mobility ambitions, urging the Federal Government to deepen collaboration with industry stakeholders to accelerate the transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs).

Speaking at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit in Lagos on Thursday, Eguahide said the success of the Federal Government’s clean mobility agenda would depend on sustained stakeholder collaboration, policy consistency and the removal of operational challenges slowing investment and implementation.

The summit, organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) under the theme, “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration,” brought together policymakers, regulators, automobile manufacturers, financiers, transport operators, researchers, safety agencies and development partners to chart a roadmap for accelerating Nigeria’s transition to cleaner transportation.

Eguahide acknowledged the Federal Government’s commitment to alternative energy solutions through the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), but stressed that translating policy into tangible results would require stronger coordination between government institutions and private investors.

According to him, the automotive industry remains a critical driver of industrialisation, job creation and economic growth, making it imperative for government agencies to work closely with manufacturers, assemblers, financiers and technology providers to create a more predictable and investment-friendly operating environment.

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He said effective policy implementation must be backed by continuous stakeholder engagement capable of resolving challenges surrounding vehicle conversion, local manufacturing, infrastructure development, financing and technology deployment.

Eguahide maintained that Nigeria possesses enormous potential to build a globally competitive clean mobility ecosystem, but cautioned that fragmented policies and institutional inefficiencies could slow the country’s progress if left unresolved.

He therefore urged government agencies to deepen engagement with the organised private sector to develop practical solutions that would accelerate the rollout of CNG refuelling infrastructure, EV charging networks and local automotive production.

Earlier, the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Nigeria’s clean mobility ecosystem through increased investment in infrastructure, local manufacturing and strategic partnerships.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, the Initiative’s Chief Compliance Officer, Engr. Zayyanu Tamberi Yabo, said the programme had evolved into a key pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s transport and energy reform agenda.

According to Ahmed, the Presidential Initiative was established not merely to promote alternative fuels but to build an integrated ecosystem covering infrastructure development, investment, vehicle conversion, local manufacturing, technical capacity building and consumer confidence.

“Our approach from the beginning has been to build the foundations of a sustainable industry rather than pursue isolated interventions,” he said.

He disclosed that certified CNG conversion centres had expanded significantly across the country over the past two years, while new refuelling stations were being developed through public and private sector investments.

Ahmed added that vehicle conversions continue to rise as commercial transport operators and private motorists increasingly embrace CNG because of its lower operating costs.

He also highlighted partnerships with financial institutions, energy companies and automobile manufacturers aimed at improving access to financing and accelerating the adoption of clean mobility technologies.

Despite the progress, he identified infrastructure expansion, consumer financing, local manufacturing capacity, technical training, research, innovation and standardisation as priority areas requiring sustained attention.

In his welcome address, NAJA Chairman Theodore Opara described the summit as a strategic platform for shaping the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

He said reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration had created fresh momentum for CNG, electric vehicles and local automotive manufacturing, adding that stronger collaboration among government, industry players and the media would be critical to sustaining the gains.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, represented by Engr. Olalekan Omoniyi, said strict compliance with internationally recognised standards would determine the success of Nigeria’s transition to EVs and CNG-powered transportation.

He disclosed that SON had developed more than 80 Nigerian Industrial Standards for CNG vehicles and equipment, as well as 87 additional standards and the National Nigeria Guideline (NNG 1214:2024) for CNG vehicle conversions.

The SON boss warned against the proliferation of uncertified conversion centres and substandard equipment, urging mandatory certification for imported and locally assembled EVs, CNG vehicles, conversion kits and charging infrastructure.

 

Policy Bottlenecks Threaten Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Drive, LCCI Warns

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FRSC Pledges Robust Safety Measures as Nigeria Accelerates EV, CNG Mobility Drive

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August 1, 2026

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FRSC Pledges Robust Safety Measures as Nigeria Accelerates EV, CNG Mobility Drive

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has declared that road safety will remain at the heart of Nigeria’s transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transportation, pledging to strengthen regulations, enforcement and stakeholder collaboration to ensure the shift to cleaner mobility does not compromise public safety.

The Corps Marshal of ghe FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, made the declaration while delivering a keynote address at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in Lagos.

The summit, themed “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration,” brought together government officials, regulators, manufacturers, energy companies and other industry stakeholders to chart the future of sustainable transportation in Nigeria.

Mohammed said the growing adoption of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles presents significant opportunities for cleaner transportation, lower operating costs and improved energy security, but warned that these benefits can only be fully realised through robust safety regulations, effective enforcement and continuous collaboration among stakeholders.

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He noted that as alternative-fuel vehicles become more prevalent on Nigerian roads, regulatory institutions must evolve to address emerging technologies through specialised training, updated operational guidelines and stronger enforcement frameworks.

According to him, the FRSC has already begun positioning itself for the transition by strengthening safety regulations, engaging key stakeholders and developing operational frameworks specifically designed for EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.

The Corps Marshal stressed that Nigeria’s clean mobility agenda should not only focus on reducing carbon emissions but also on improving road safety, raising vehicle standards and building public confidence in emerging transport technologies.

He added that achieving a safe and sustainable transition would require the active participation of road users, transport operators, vehicle manufacturers, conversion centres, regulators and other critical stakeholders.

Mohammed reaffirmed the FRSC‘s commitment to working closely with government agencies, industry players and development partners to ensure that Nigeria’s journey towards cleaner transportation delivers lasting safety, environmental and economic benefits for the country.

 

FRSC Pledges Robust Safety Measures as Nigeria Accelerates EV, CNG Mobility Drive

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Pi-CNG boss: Clean mobility will cut transport cost, create jobs, power Nigeria’s economic growth

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July 31, 2026

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L-R: Representative of the Controller-General of Federal Fire Service, Badmus Abdulsamad; representative of the Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Engr. Olalekan Omoniyi; Director, Public Relations, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mrs. Suzan Taiwo; Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Shehu Mohammed; National Chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), Mr. Theodore Opara; Head of Regulatory Compliance, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG), Engr. Zayannu Yabo; Deputy Managing Director, CFAO Mobility, Mr. Kunle Jaiyesimi; Chairman, Auto Sectoral Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Femi Eguaikhide and MD, TSS, Mr. Frank Nneji; at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit held at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos...on Thursday July 30, 2026.

Pi-CNG boss: Clean mobility will cut transport cost, create jobs, power Nigeria’s economic growth

 

The Federal Government has declared that Nigeria’s transition to compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles (EVs) is no longer an environmental ambition but a critical economic strategy to slash transportation costs, strengthen energy security, create jobs and unlock new investments across the automotive value chain.

Making the declaration at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU) organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in Lagos, the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, said clean mobility had become a central pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transport and energy reforms.

Delivering a keynote address titled, “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration,” Ahmed said the Presidential Initiative was established to coordinate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner transportation by building a sustainable ecosystem for CNG and electric mobility.

He explained that the Initiative’s mandate extended beyond promoting alternative fuels to attracting investments, expanding refuelling and charging infrastructure, supporting vehicle conversion, strengthening local manufacturing, developing technical skills and boosting consumer confidence.

According to him, the programme was conceived following the removal of fuel subsidy to provide Nigerians with a practical and affordable transport alternative by leveraging the country’s abundant natural gas resources.

“Our focus from the beginning has been to build the foundation of a sustainable industry rather than pursue isolated interventions,” Ahmed said, noting that Pi-CNG & EV has worked closely with regulators, investors, vehicle manufacturers, conversion firms, financial institutions, development partners, transport unions and state governments.

Reviewing the Initiative’s achievements over the past two years, he said Nigeria’s CNG ecosystem has expanded rapidly, with more certified conversion centres established across the country and refuelling infrastructure growing through public and private sector investments.

He added that vehicle conversions have continued to rise as commercial transport operators and private motorists increasingly embrace the lower operating costs of CNG, while thousands of technicians have been trained to ensure safe and professional conversion services nationwide.

Ahmed also disclosed that strategic partnerships with financial institutions, energy companies, vehicle manufacturers and state governments are helping to improve access to financing, stimulate infrastructure development and accelerate the adoption of clean mobility solutions.

To strengthen safety and regulatory compliance, he announced the introduction of the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, which he said would enhance transparency, improve regulatory oversight and build public confidence in the conversion industry.

While acknowledging the remarkable progress recorded in CNG adoption, Ahmed stressed that the Initiative remains equally committed to advancing electric mobility, saying Nigeria’s long-term transport future would be powered by multiple clean-energy technologies.

He revealed that government is engaging manufacturers, investors and development partners on electric vehicle deployment, charging infrastructure, local assembly and policy reforms aimed at accelerating market growth.

Despite the progress, Ahmed identified infrastructure expansion, consumer financing, local manufacturing, technical capacity development, research, innovation and standardisation as key areas requiring sustained investment and collaboration.

He urged government agencies, investors, manufacturers, transport operators, financial institutions, development partners and the media to work together to overcome these challenges and build a sustainable clean mobility ecosystem.

Describing the media as a strategic partner, Ahmed called on members of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association to intensify public education on the economic, environmental and technological benefits of clean mobility.

“The transition to clean mobility is as much an information challenge as it is an infrastructure challenge. Public understanding influences public acceptance, while market confidence is built on accurate, timely and responsible information,” he said.

He pledged deeper engagement with journalists through regular technical briefings, industry dialogues and improved access to credible data to combat misinformation and promote informed public discourse.

Ahmed said Pi-CNG & EV would continue expanding CNG infrastructure nationwide, strengthen the regulatory framework, support local manufacturing and vehicle conversion capacity, deepen financing partnerships and collaborate with stakeholders to build a commercially viable clean mobility industry.

According to him, the true measure of the Initiative’s success will not be the number of conversion centres or refuelling stations established, but its ability to reduce transport costs, improve energy security, generate employment, stimulate industrial growth and improve the quality of life of Nigerians.

He commended NAJA for providing a platform for robust industry dialogue, saying stronger collaboration among government, industry players and the media would be essential to accelerating Nigeria’s clean mobility transition.

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