The headline inflation rate in August 2024 stood at 32.15%, marking a slight decrease of 1.25%-points from 33.40% in July 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Despite this reduction on a month-to-month basis, when compared year-on-year, the August 2024 headline inflation rate increased by 6.35%-points from the 25.80% recorded in August 2023, indicating that the overall inflationary pressures are still significantly higher than they were a year ago.

On a month-to-month basis, the headline inflation rate for August 2024 was recorded at 2.22%, reflecting a marginal decrease from 2.28% in July 2024.

This means that while prices continued to rise, the rate at which they increased slowed slightly between July and August.

When it comes to food inflation, the rate in August 2024 was 37.52%, which was 8.18%-points higher than the 29.34% recorded in August 2023. The year-on-year increase in food inflation was driven by rising prices of essential food items such as bread, maize grains, yams, palm oil, and other staples.

On a month-to-month basis, food inflation stood at 2.37% in August 2024, representing a slight decrease of 0.10%-points from 2.47% in July 2024.

The slight decline in the month-to-month figure can be attributed to the moderation in the prices of some food items like tea, cocoa, coffee, milk, and various tubers.

Overall, while both headline and food inflation showed some short-term easing in August, the year-on-year data indicates that inflationary pressures, particularly driven by food prices, remain a significant challenge for the Nigerian economy.

Inflationary pressures in Nigeria varied significantly across states, with food inflation serving as a major driver of overall inflation in most cases. Overall, while some states saw a decrease in inflation rates, the high cost of food and other goods continues to pose a significant challenge for consumers across Nigeria.

Below is a list of the 10 most expensive states in Nigeria based on their all-item inflation rate for August 2024:

Abia – 34.41%
After maintaining the sixth position on the list of most expensive states in Nigeria twice, Abia experienced a significant drop in both all-item and food inflation in August 2024.

The all-item inflation rate decreased from 35.9% in July to 34.41% in August, reflecting a 1.49% decline.

Similarly, food inflation also saw a 3.14% drop, going from 43.2% in July to 40.06% in August.

This reduction in both overall inflation and food inflation indicates that the inflationary pressures in Abia have eased slightly.

However, food inflation remains a major contributor to the overall inflation rate, with food prices still significantly high.

Oyo – 34.44%
Leaving its seventh position on the previous month’s list, Oyo State recorded a drop in the all-item inflation rate from 35.6% in July to 34.44% in August 2024, representing a 1.16% decrease.

Similarly, food inflation followed a downward trend, falling from 40.70% in July to 39.02% in August, a 1.68% decrease.

Despite the reduction, food inflation still plays a crucial role in driving the overall inflation rate in the state.

Lagos – 34.76%
From its ninth position in July 2024, Lagos, known for its high cost of living, saw a 0.74% decrease in all-item inflation, which dropped from 35.5% in July to 34.76% in August 2024.

Food inflation, however, saw a more substantial decline, dropping by 3.43%, from 39.76% in July to 36.33% in August.

This reduction in food inflation suggests that the cost of food is becoming more stable in the state, although it still remains higher than the overall inflation rate.

Gombe – 35.23%
Moving higher from its 10th position in the previous month, Gombe recorded a slight decrease in all-item inflation, from 35.5% in July to 35.23% in August, reflecting a 0.27% drop.

Food inflation remained almost constant, decreasing by just 0.16%, from 43.40% in July to 43.24% in August 2024.

The minimal reduction in food inflation shows that food prices are still a major driver of inflation in the state, with food costs continuing to account for a large portion of household spending.

Niger – 35.41%
Niger State saw a 0.53% increase in all-item inflation, with the rate rising from 34.88% in July to 35.41% in August 2024.

Food inflation also increased slightly, moving from 40.03% in July to 40.51% in August, a 0.48% rise.

These increases indicate that inflationary pressures are growing in Niger, particularly in terms of food prices, which remain a significant factor in the state’s overall inflation rate.

The rising food inflation, combined with the increase in all-item inflation, suggests that Niger residents are likely experiencing growing costs for both food and other goods and services, adding to the inflationary burden in the state.

Yobe – 35.43%
Yobe experienced a 0.29% increase in all-item inflation, with the rate moving from 35.14% in July to 35.43% in August 2024.

Food inflation, on the other hand, saw a more significant rise of 0.91%, increasing from 42.31% in July to 43.22% in August.

This uptick in both all-item and food inflation highlights that food prices are a major driver of inflation in the state.

Sokoto – 35.89%
From its fifth position on the list in July 2024, Sokoto’s all-item inflation remained relatively stable between July and August 2024, holding steady at 35.89%.

However, food inflation saw a modest increase, rising by 0.68%, from 46.3% in July to 46.98% in August.

The fact that food inflation is much higher than the overall inflation rate suggests that rising food costs are the primary driver of inflation in Sokoto.

Jigawa – 37.44%
After being the second most expensive state in Nigeria in July 2024, Jigawa witnessed a significant decrease in both all-item and food inflation in August 2024.

The all-item inflation rate dropped from 40.8% in July to 37.44% in August, a 3.36% decrease. Similarly, food inflation fell from 46.06% in July to 42.75% in August, reflecting a 3.31% decrease.

Despite the reductions, food inflation remains a significant factor in Jigawa’s overall inflation rate, with food prices still considerably higher.

Kebbi – 37.50%
Leaving its third position to Jigawa, Kebbi’s all-item inflation rate remained unchanged at 37.50% between July and August 2024.

However, food inflation saw a slight increase of 0.67%, rising from 40.14% in July to 40.81% in August.

This indicates that while the overall inflation rate has stabilized, food prices continue to rise, contributing to the inflationary pressures in the state.

Bauchi – 46.46%
For the fourth consecutive time, Bauchi recorded the highest all-item inflation rate among the top 10 states, with a rate of 46.46% in August 2024, up from 46.0% in July.

This represents a 0.46% increase in the all-item inflation rate. Interestingly, food inflation in Bauchi decreased by 1.2%, dropping from 35.10% in July to 33.90% in August.

This divergence between rising all-item inflation and declining food inflation suggests that non-food items are driving inflation in Bauchi.

-Nairametric

The high cost of plastic plates has led to a new trend at parties. Gatecrashers are now being served food in cellophane bags at social gatherings.

Two sets of people are always present in a typical Nigerian party, known in local Yoruba parlance as owambe. They are the invited guests and uninvited ones popularly known as gate crashers.

While the invited guests come with pride to show off elegance, luxury and perhaps modern dance steps, the gate crashers mainly come for food.

Ordinarily, the way a guest is served speaks volumes in such parties.

For invited guests, hosts prepare and serve various delicacies in beautiful dishes and plastic takeaway packs on decorated tables.

Some guests are even allowed to make orders for whatever meals they desire without stepping out of their seats. This lifestyle not only shows the class of the hosts but also the importance of the guests.

Even gate crashers are sometimes lucky to get a better treatment even though they were not invited. But this depends on the financial power of the host.

However, with the economic downturn, things have changed drastically. This is not a good time to be a gate crasher, as the treatment they get in owambes now are shabby and to say the least, very demeaning.

Today, many of them end up going home with their food in a small polythene bags.

This is due to the high cost of renting plates and increased prices of plastic take-away packs.

Economy&Lifestyle discovered that most hosts now package food for their special guests in paper take-away packs. Those who still want to show off class manage to buy a few plastic take-aways for just a few guests, while the gate crashers are left at the mercy of taking their food home in nylons.

Due to the high cost of plastics since the increase in pump price of fuel, 50 pieces of three compartment take-away packs, which was N17,000 is now N30,000 while 50 pieces of big single compartment plastic take-away packs that was N 5,000 now cost between N25,000 and N40,000 depending on the quality.

However, the price of 50 pieces of paper takeaway food packs for dry or wet food is from N4,000 to N5,000 depending on the size.

Mrs. Efosa Akinola, a private school teacher, who celebrated her wedding anniversary recently, said she was shocked when she noticed that the cost of takeaway packs has trippled.

“I had to buying the paper made one, which the woman convinced me was better and healthier for the environment.

“At first I thought all the content would spill when I used it but it didn’t.

“I would have preferred the plastic one because it gives one class. But I had to leave it for the paper one to save cost. I just had to celebrate it because it was my 10th wedding anniversary.

“The cost of food alone had eaten deep into my budget. I had to serve special guests with the paper packs and gate crashers had to take their food home in nylon bags.”

On her part, Mrs Chigbu Okeke, a foodstuff seller, said she had to use the paper packs on her kids birthday to package small chops and food instead of takeaway packs to cut cost.

“Recently, my son celebrated his one year birthday. When I got to the market to buy the usual party takeaway packs, I was shocked that what was sold for between N3,000 and N5,000 is now over N25,000.

“As I was contemplating on the next move, the woman showed me the paper packs. I was complaining it would leak but she assured me it won’t.

“After using it, some of my guests were asking me where I got the packs and they loved it.Those neighbours whom I didn’t invite but invited themselves were served in nylon bags.”

However, Mr. Ariyo Makinde, a lecturer, said he was very surprised when he opened the takeaway pack and discovered that it was made with thick paper and the food inside was beans and plantain.

“That is what people use in serving guests at parties and events now. I attended a party recently and discovered that the food, which was wet, was packaged in a sealed paper that looked like a box, though hard.

“When I opened the box, I discovered it contained beans (ewa agoyin) and plantain. I was perplexed because there was no oil or stains on the outside.

“A friend who followed me without being invited was served in nylon bag. He had to put his nylon bag in mine to avoid being seen with such a package. He vowed never to attend any party uninvited.

“I also observed that in most of the hotels I have attended parties or events, when you demand plastic takeaway packs, they tell you the piece is N500, which was N100 either to.

“I was forced on two occasions to eat my food at the event instead of paying such an amount for takeaways.”

On her part, Mrs. Helen, a disposable containers and packs seller, noted that in this year alone, the cost of buying takeaways from the company rose four times.

According to her, the sales manager cited increasing cost of importation, logistics coupled with dollar scarcity and other expenditures as reasons for the high cost and reduction in quality of these plastic takeaway packs.

She said: “I am tired of this business. This year alone, the prices of plastic takeaway packs have risen four times. Not only that of plates but cups, including those made of aluminum.

“Many now shy away from buying them. They go for these new paper food packs for both wet and dry food and nylons.

“Some of my customers that are food vendors in hotels and restaurants are complaining about the low quality of the product and the covers’re no longer sealing the plates.

“Some caterers, who buy the plastic takeaway packs for parties get a dozen or two and add nylon bags.

“They sell to guests willing to buy, knowing at the back of their mind that some who cannot afford the amount will be forced to eat at the event or use nylon bags to take it home if they have no shame.”

Mr. Jude Briamoh, a Chemistry teacher, welcomed the adoption of paper takeaway packs, noting that it will aid in having a clean environment and reduce drainage blockages and flood as paper easily dissolves on earth.

“The paper food takeaway packs are trending now. Even food vendors and party hosts now use this type of packs as takeaways instead of the conventional plastic and disposable packs. I even see some people leave parties with their meals served in nylon bags without shame. That is the level the state of our economy has reduced us to.

“In Lagos, abundant, affordable, lightweight and durable plastic takeaway packs are the choice material for food packaging by vendors at parties and events, but improperly disposed of, they are clogging drainage, contributing to flooding and posing a threat to the public health and the environment.

“But with this new method of food packaging, our drainages will be free, the environment will be safe and free from flood because these papers are got from wood pulps and easily decomposed.”