Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Chinyere Almona, said the elevated average inflation and energy-related cost call for sustained policy discipline.

She noted that continued focus on food supply chains, energy reform, transport efficiency and productivity is essential to consolidating disinflation gains.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), headline inflation fell from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 15.15 per cent in December 2025.

This, Almona said, confirms a transition from rapid inflation to gradual disinflation but not an abrupt price reversal.

“The sharp decline in food inflation, driven by falling prices of key staples such as grains, vegetables, garri, beans and tomatoes, represents the most meaningful relief for households and reflects improving supply conditions.

“Nonetheless, inflation remains structurally elevated, with a twelve-month average headline inflation at 23.01 per cent, underscoring the lingering effects of past price shocks,” she noted.

She argued that the revised consumer price index (CPI) methodology by the NBS is technically sound and reflects a legitimate correction of base-year distortions following the CPI rebasing exercise and does not constitute any manipulation of inflation outcome.

By adopting a twelve-month average of 2024 as the base year (2024 = 100), rather than a single-month reference, she observed, the NBS prudently avoided artificial inflation spikes that often occur after long gaps between base years, particularly relevant given Nigeria’s 15-year shift from the 2009 base.

The approach strengthens analytical accuracy, preserves policy relevance and enhances the credibility of inflation measurement, she noted.

Beyond methodology, she added, the December 2025 inflation figures indicate a clear slowdown in inflationary momentum and genuine economic stabilisation.

Adding that while the economy might be cooling and inflationary pressure easing, she said full recovery would require consistent and coordinated policy action.

To consolidate the positive trends, she urged the government to strengthen agricultural supply chains and market interventions to ensure the steady availability of key staples, which will reduce food price volatility that drives headline inflation.