Fuel costs drive food inflation as Lagos traders, shoppers struggle

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Alhaji Abiodun Kosoko has blamed rising fuel prices for surging food costs, warning that transport expenses are squeezing traders and deepening hardship for consumers across Lagos.

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Kosoko, Baba Loja General of Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, spoke during a visit by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to Ile Epo Market, describing a sharp disconnect between foot traffic and actual sales.

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He said although markets still attracted crowds daily, purchasing power had weakened significantly, leaving traders with unsold goods and diminishing returns on their investments.

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Kosoko explained that many traders sourced food items from northern and neighbouring states, where production was higher but transportation to Lagos was increasingly expensive.

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According to him, distance, fuel costs and multiple levies along supply routes all combine to inflate the final prices paid by consumers in urban markets.

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“People come to buy foodstuffs but leave with less than planned. There are turnouts but no turnover,” Kosoko said.

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He warned that the trend threatened the sustainability of small-scale traders, many of whom depended on quick sales to avoid losses from perishable goods.

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Kosoko urged the Federal Government to intervene through fuel subsidies or targeted transport support to stabilise prices and protect both traders and low-income households.

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He noted that a bag of rice, previously sold for ₦50,000, now costs between ₦56,000 and ₦58,000, depending on brand and supply conditions.

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“It is affecting us sellers because some goods spoil if unsold. People now buy in smaller quantities unlike before,” he added.

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Mr Hammed Adekunle, a meat seller, said customers frequently expressed shock at prices, often accusing traders of profiteering without understanding supply chain realities.

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He said bargaining had become more intense, with some customers attempting to reduce ₦5,000 worth of meat purchases to as low as ₦1,000.

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“They think I inflate prices, but suppliers keep raising costs beyond my control,” Adekunle said.

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Adekunle added that rising costs of livestock, feed and transportation had left meat sellers with little choice but to adjust prices or risk running at a loss.

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Mrs Sola Ogunbade, a teacher, said the persistent rise in food prices had forced her to prioritise essential items while dropping others from her shopping list.

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“Foodstuffs are expensive. I must stick to my budget even if my list isn’t complete,” she said.

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She noted that even staple foods such as rice, beans and vegetables had become difficult to afford in sufficient quantities for her household.

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Mrs Mary Chukwu, a mother of three, said the situation had reduced family meals to basic survival, with little room for nutritional balance or dietary variety.

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She explained that her focus was now on ensuring her children do not go hungry, even if meals lack protein, fruits or other essential nutrients.

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Chukwu appealed to government authorities to consider subsidies on fuel and key food items to ease pressure on struggling families.

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Mr Funbi Idowu described the Easter period as the hardest his family had experienced, saying economic realities had forced them to scale down celebrations.

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“We can’t afford a whole chicken. We will celebrate Easter quietly and hope things improve,” he said.

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He added that what used to be a festive period marked by abundance had now become a time of careful spending and reduced expectations.

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