Nigeria inflation fell to 16.05% in October 2025, but OPS warns high food, housing, and transport costs keep living expenses elevated, calling for structural reforms

Nigeria’s inflation rate eased to 16.05 per cent in October 2025, marking the seventh consecutive drop, but the organised private sector (OPS) warns that rising prices and high costs continue to strain households and businesses.

Also read: Nigeria inflation in October 2025 eases amid lower food prices

The latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show food inflation slowing to 13.12 per cent, aided by improved harvests, a stronger naira, and supply stabilisation.

While this trend offers a glimmer of hope, month-on-month inflation ticked up to 0.93 per cent from September’s 0.72 per cent, signalling that price pressures remain.

Chinyere Almona, Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, urged government and business leaders to implement bold policy measures to strengthen food security, ease supply-chain bottlenecks, and lock in the gains from this disinflation.

She emphasised that the current improvements must be converted into lasting economic confidence and growth.

Dr Muda Yusuf, Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, highlighted that essential goods and services—including food, housing, transport, electricity, education, and health—accounted for 84 per cent of the inflation burden in October.

He warned that real relief will only materialise if structural reforms are implemented, such as expanding irrigation, storage and processing, improving highways and freight rail, and securing farming communities.

Also read: Nigeria inflation rate falls to 18.02% in September

Both OPS bodies agree that while the October figures are a positive signal, Nigerians will only feel meaningful relief once disinflation translates into lower living costs across key sectors.