Residents groan as Kebbi battles hovering inflation as meals costs rise

Kebbi State is at present neckdeep with rising inflationary pressures, following the most recent figures launched by the Nationwide Bureau of Statistics, NBS, which positioned the state among the many hardest-hit in Nigeria.

Based on the Client Value Index and Inflation Report for March 2025 launched in Abuja, Kebbi recorded one of many highest inflation charges within the nation on each year-on-year and month-on-month bases.

The report confirmed that on a year-on-year foundation, meals inflation in Kebbi rose to 30.85 per cent, putting it behind Oyo at 34.41 per cent and Kaduna at 31.14 per cent.

The state’s general headline inflation was equally excessive at 30.74 per cent, coming behind solely Kaduna at 33.33 per cent and Osun at 32.08 per cent.

On a month-on-month foundation, Kebbi’s meals inflation price stood at 14.03 per cent, with solely Oyo at 19.74 per cent and Kaduna at 17.24 per cent recording greater figures throughout the interval below evaluation.

The report additionally confirmed that whereas some states like Sokoto, Nasarawa, and Kwara witnessed a slower rise in month-on-month inflation, Kebbi continued to face a constant upward development in costs.

The inflationary surge has had a direct influence on family livelihoods, with costs of staple meals gadgets corresponding to rice, maize, millet, tomatoes, and grains rising sharply in native markets, DAILY POST studies.

On the Birnin Kebbi central market, a bag of regionally produced rice, which bought for N43,000 in December 2024, now goes for over N60,000, thereby, forcing many residents to cut back their meals purchases.

Merchants and residents are at present lamenting the rising issue in dealing with fundamental meals bills.

Abubakar Mohammed, a dealer at Bunzam, the primary greatest rice market in Kebbi state, described the state of affairs as unprecedented, noting that even regionally grown produce, which Kebbi is legendary for, has develop into too expensive for a lot of households.

He stated, “Prior to now, folks might at the least rely upon native produce, however today, even that’s out of attain for a lot of households.

“It’s like each week the costs go up. A bag of rice that was N43,000 in December is now above N60,000, how do you count on folks to outlive?

“Prospects are complaining and a few of them simply stroll away as a result of they will’t afford the costs. It’s affecting everyone.”

In response, the Kebbi State Authorities had introduced measures aimed toward cushioning the financial hardship occasioned by the rising inflation.

Governor Nasir Idris, throughout a latest media chat, disclosed that the federal government has commenced the distribution of palliatives throughout the 21 native authorities areas of the state.

The palliatives embody important meals gadgets corresponding to rice, millet, beans, and cooking oil.

The governor additionally said that farm inputs can be subsidised for the 2025 moist season farming, with the purpose of boosting native meals manufacturing and addressing market shortage.

As a part of these efforts, the Kebbi State Authorities confirmed receipt of 6,000 luggage of subsidised rice from the federal authorities for onward gross sales at a subsidised price of N40,000 per 50kg bag.

Hon Zayyanu Aliero, the Commissioner for Particular Duties,whereas flagging off the gross sales in Birnin Kebbi not too long ago, expressed gratitude for the gesture.

He stated it will go a good distance in assuaging the burden of inflation on residents.

“The gesture will considerably cushion the results of the current financial hardship,” Aliero stated, confirming that 5,000 luggage can be bought to state civil servants and 1,000 luggage can be bought to federal civil servants within the state.

Financial analysts have linked Kebbi’s inflationary development to broader nationwide challenges, worsened by international provide chain disruptions, removing of petrol subsidy, and forex depreciation.

Shehu Usman, an financial analyst and lecturer stated, “The inflationary development in Kebbi is a mirrored image of what’s occurring in Nigeria. The removing of petrol subsidy, rising manufacturing prices, and the naira’s depreciation have mixed to push up costs of each imported and regionally produced items.

“Despite the fact that Kebbi is an agrarian state, it’s not insulated from the bigger financial realities. Transport prices, farm inputs, and market provide chains are all affected by nationwide coverage choices and international financial shifts.”

“Till macroeconomic stability is restored on the nationwide degree, particularly in areas of gasoline pricing and forex administration, states like Kebbi will proceed to bear the brunt of inflation.”

The NBS had earlier within the 12 months rebased Nigeria’s Client Value Index, updating the bottom 12 months from 2009 to 2024, a transfer the Statistician-Basic of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, stated was designed to replicate the present financial realities and consumption patterns.

Whereas Kebbi’s figures stay among the many highest nationwide, the federal government has maintained that it’s working with related businesses and stakeholders to handle the state of affairs.

Governor Idris assured residents that his administration wouldn’t abandon them in these troublesome instances, promising sustained reduction efforts and strategic interventions to cushion the results of inflation and restore financial stability within the state.