*Ehiane Otabor-Olubor & Chigozie Samuel Abawulem (AUTHORS)
Department of Geography and Disaster Risk Management, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: otabor-olubor.ehiane@uniben.edu
ABSTRACT: Staple food inflation is a major socioeconomic challenge in Nigeria, especially in urban centres where rising prices of essential food items continue to affect the welfare and nutritional stability of households. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of staple food inflation on household feeding patterns in Benin City, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was used, and primary data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 374 respondents, while secondary data on food prices and inflation were sourced from official records. The price trends of major staple foods and shifts in meal frequency and dietary habits were examined. There was a substantial increase in staple food prices between 2023 and 2024, with over 70% hikes in beans and garri. Significant alterations were seen in feeding patterns of households: those consuming three meals daily dropped from 52.4% to 25.7%, while those limited to one meal daily rose from 2.4% to 27%. A statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.136, p = 0.009) was observed between food inflation and changes in feeding behaviour. The findings indicate a direct impact of rising food costs on meal reduction, dietary simplification, and increased vulnerability to food insecurity. Policy measures such as price stabilization, investment in smallholder agriculture, expansion of social protection programs, and improved infrastructure for food distribution would curb inflation effects.
Keywords: Staple; Inflation; Mixed methods; Nigeria