The economy and the battlefield for 2027
There is a number that captures something important about Nigeria’s economic mood today. This is the cost of an ordinary shopping basket. For instance, at the start of the Buhari administration in January 2016, a kilogramme of imported rice sold for about N239 and by the end of his government in May 2023, the price […]
The cost of everyday items in Nigeria, particularly food and petrol, has skyrocketed under President Tinubu's administration. A kilogramme of imported rice, for example, rose from N239 in 2016 to over N2,255 in 2025, a 184% increase. A typical grocery basket, priced at N25,225 in 2020, surged to N147,050 in 2026, a 582% increase.
Despite the government's improved macroeconomic figures, such as a decline in headline inflation to 15.39% in August 2026, the reality for many Nigerians remains unchanged. Inflation falling does not equate to prices falling; it simply means price increases are occurring at a slower rate. This discrepancy between macroeconomic improvement and daily hardships underscores the central battleground of the 2027 election.
The government faces the challenge of demonstrating tangible benefits to citizens while opposition parties grapple with presenting feasible alternatives, leading to a complex political landscape over economic policy.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
