Business
Hardship: Nigeria’s inflation drops signal economic recovery – CPPE, Economists

Nigerian economists and the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise have explained that the two consecutive drops in Nigeria’s inflation rate signal that the country’s economy is recovering from hardship
The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf, the CEO of SD & D Capital Management, Gbolade Idakolo, and a Don at Lead City University in Ibadan, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun, disclosed this on Monday.
They spoke in reaction to Nigeria’s February 2025 inflation drop.
On Monday, Nigeria’s inflation lowered for the second time to 23.18 percent in February 2025 from 24.48 percent recorded in the previous month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics’ latest Consumer Price Index.
The data showed that food inflation also declined in February to 23.51 percent from 26.08 percent in January.
Nigeria’s inflation fell massively to 24.48 percent in January after CPI rebasing.
However, while the data from NBS showed the inflation rate is lowering, the cost of living in Nigeria has remained elevated.
Nigeria’s deceleration in inflation shows macro stability — CPPE
The deceleration in the inflation rate can be attributed to moderation in macro stability, according to CPPE.
Yusuf stressed that the drop in exchange rate volatility and drop in premium motor spirit prices are contributing factors to the decline in Nigeria’s inflation rate.
He, however, emphasised that Nigeria’s inflation remains high, noting that the government needs to come up with policies to bring down the prices of basic items, such as staple foods and pharmaceuticals.
“The further deceleration in inflation in February can be attributed to two factors. First is the base effect.
When you relate the 2025 figure to 2024, it is expected to see further narrowing because the inflation rate is mainly year on year.
This trend is likely to continue for the larger part of 2025. The second part is due to moderation in macro stability. We are beginning to drop in the volatility in the exchange rate in the last few months.
“This is a key factor because the exchange rate is a major driver of inflation. Also, slight reduction in energy prices such as PMS.“
However, the inflation rate of 23.18 percent is still high. This means that there is a lot of work to be done to ease inflationary pressures on citizens.
The government should take some urgent steps to bring down the price of basic products. Foods, pharmaceutical products, cooking gas, and staple foods (bread, noodles, rice)- should be top on the agenda of government.
“Another good news is that there is an increase in food production on account of improved security,”.
Pressures driving higher prices are easing — Prof Oyedokun
Oyedotun said the latest inflation drop suggests that the factor driving higher prices may be stabilising, which could provide relief to consumers and businesses.
According to him, the second consecutive drop in headline and food inflation, with figures at 23.18% and 23.51%, respectively, could be viewed as a positive indicator of an easing inflationary trend.
He said this suggests that the pressure driving prices higher may be stabilising, which could provide some relief to consumers and businesses.
He noted further that improved supply chain conditions, seasonal factors that affect food production and prices, government interventions, and monetary policies are factors contributing to the inflation rate decline.
Regarding the February inflation drop outside the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rebasing, several factors could contribute.
“These might include improved supply chain conditions, seasonal factors that affect food production and prices, or government interventions that stabilise markets.“
Additionally, any recent policy measures aimed at curbing inflation, such as adjustments in interest rates or subsidies for essential goods, could also play a role,” he said.
On why the inflation drop has not been reflected in market prices, he said, “As for the inflation figures not aligning with the reality of elevated prices for goods, this discrepancy could stem from various reasons.“
The CPI may not fully capture specific categories of goods that are experiencing sharp price increases.
Additionally, inflation measurements are often averages and may not reflect localised price changes or the unique purchasing patterns of different consumers.
“Factors such as producer price increases, distribution costs, and market dynamics can also lead to a situation where prices remain high despite a reported decline in inflation rates”.
Why inflation rate decline doesn’t reflect on the price drop — Idakolo
Idakolo said Nigeria’s inflation figures do not reflect the general price of goods because of the strength of the naira- exchange rates and interest have remained high.
“The inflation figures are not generally reflecting on the price of goods because certain fundamentals of the economy, like the strength of the Naira, exchange rate, and interest rates, remain high, which have made it difficult for the impact of lower inflation to be felt by the people.
However, if the government continues to drive down prices due to targeted policies, it would only be a matter of time before people start feeling the impact of reduced inflation on the economy,”.
Business
CBEX: Nigerians lose N1.3tn as digital trading platform crashes

Nigerians have taken to their various social media platforms to lament their losses after a digital asset trading platform, known as CBEX, allegedly swept over N1.3 trillion from investors’ accounts on Monday.
This comes as CBEX, operating without legal approval from the Nigeria Securities Commission, crashed on Monday after the money in their investors’ wallets vanished.
The digital platform also locked its Telegram channels and postponed withdrawals while offering investors the option of $2,000 for $200 verification and $1,000 for $100 verification.
The development has sparked condemnations from Nigerians on X.
Explaining the CBEX crash, cryptocurrency expert and security analyst Taiwo Owolabi said the total volume of stolen investors’ funds so far in USDT is $847 million and likely to increase.
Owolabi questioned why Nigerians would invest their money in a digital platform that is unregistered by the SEC with the promise of a 100 percent return on investment.
They designed the weak website to convince people in the future that it was a security breach that affected them.
Apparently, when you make payments, you pay them into a TRX account, and then, immediately, they move it from that TRX wallet, gather it, convert it to USDT, and then to ETH. So, when you are logging into your account, there is literally no money on your profile.
“What you see are just numbers. All the daily activities you do to ‘trade’ increase your money. All the AI trading is fake. When it’s time for withdrawal, they will send you another person’s money,” Owolabi explained on an X space.
Similarly, Steve Fred, a user on X, wrote on Tuesday:
“Are we not just fantastically stupid in Nigeria?
“Nigerians are as gullible as their leaders. How many times will they be scammed before they have sense?
“How can a company like ‘CBEX’ just appear from thin air and promise you 100 percent ROI in 1 month, and you begin to invest?”
Another user, known on X as Oku, reacting to the CBEX crash, said: “The smaller the profit, the more I TRUST YOU.
“You have no business doing a business that promises you 50 percent to 100 percent ROI.
”The development comes after the SEC recently warned Nigerians to stay clear of unregistered trading platforms.
The SEC particularly pointed out that, in accordance with the ISA 2025 recently signed by President Bola Tinubu, it is now an offense for any entity to operate an online forex trading platform or provide related services without prior registration with the commission.
“By virtue of this act, it is an offense in Nigeria for any entity that is not registered by the commission to carry out the business of online foreign exchange trading platforms or related services.
“Any business entity planning to set up a business in any of these areas is advised to visit the HOD DRM Department of the commission for further direction on how to register with the commission to avoid sanctions,” it added.
Business
Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago Sign Direct Air Connectivity Agreement to Boost Trade
The agreement grants designated airlines from both countries the rights to operate passenger and cargo flights, establish commercial agreements, and access the other’s territory under agreed terms.

• The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo
The Federal Government of Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago have signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) to boost trade, tourism, and air connectivity.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and his counterpart, the Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan, signed the agreement on behalf of both countries at the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad and Tobago.
The agreement, according to a statement by the Media Aide to the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood marks the official commencement of direct air links between both nations.
The agreement is the culmination of diplomatic and technical conversations that began during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Keyamo commented: “Today’s signing not only fulfills a long-standing bilateral vision initiated during President Obasanjo’s time but also represents our commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global aviation footprint.
This agreement will enhance trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and connectivity between Nigeria and the Caribbean region.
”The agreement grants designated airlines from both countries the rights to operate passenger and cargo flights, establish commercial agreements, and access the other’s territory under agreed terms.
It is expected to strengthen economic and people-to-people ties.Sinanan expressed optimism about the potential of the agreement to boost cooperation and expand aviation opportunities for Caribbean and African carriers.
The agreement adds to Nigeria’s growing list of strategic international aviation agreements and reinforces President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to improving air connectivity, promoting regional integration, and strengthening diplomatic relations through aviation diplomacy.
Business
FG Commissions N10bn Prism Foods Onion Storage Facility in Kano
This initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s agenda to curb post-harvest losses, potentially increasing farmers’ income and creating more job opportunities for youths,” the minister said.

The Federal Government has launched Prism Foods Limited N10 billion state-of-the-art onion storage facility in Kano State.
The Minister of State for Industry and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh, commissioned the 10,000-tonne storage capacity, on Monday at Gadar Tamburawa in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the federal government would provide all the needed support for initiating modern innovation to address post-harvest losses among farmers across the country, especially in the northern part.
“By providing a reliable storage solution for onions and other perishable commodities, the facility will play a vital role in effective service delivery, supporting the nation’s agricultural development.
“This initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s agenda to curb post-harvest losses, potentially increasing farmers’ income and creating more job opportunities for youths,” the minister said.
He commended Prism Foods Limited for investing heavily in a solution to post-harvest losses, saying it would enhance food security and encourage entrepreneurship, ultimately boosting the nation’s economy.
The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, represented by the State Commissioner for Commerce, Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, commended Prism Foods Limited for establishing such a huge investment in Kano.
Yusuf noted that the state government is committed to providing all the needed support to ensure that agricultural produce is enhanced.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Prism Foods Ltd., Mr. Aman Gupta, said the massive post-harvest losses faced by onion farmers prompted the establishment of the facility.Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu, Chairman of the National Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria, said the facility would significantly reduce post-harvest losses of onions and other perishable commodities.
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