Nigerian households, especially food vendors and caterers may soon heave a sigh of relief as the price of onion, a basic cooking ingredient may soon come down.
Onions are fundamental ingredients in many cuisines worldwide. They are known for their pungent flavour and versatility in various dishes. Aside cooking, onions are also known for their potential health benefits, including antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects and supporting heart health among others.
Since March 2025, the price of onions increased significantly, with reports indicating a 44 per cent surge in Lagos and other parts of the country. A big bag of onions rose from N18, 000 to N26, 000, while a small bag rose from N13, 000 to N19, 000.
The price hike was attributed to several factors, which include season, insecurity, high costs of inputs and post-harvest losses, among others. It was also learnt that the suspension of supply to the southern region, by the Onion Producers and Marketers Association (OPMAN), played a major part in this price hike. Since then, the price has been unstable, affecting consumers and traders alike.
Now, there are reports that onions from neighbouring Niger Republic will soon flood the market, to erase the lingering scarcity. This will also crash onion prices and ease the shortages.
Information from sources indicates that truckloads of onions from Maradi and Zinder, two major farming areas in Niger Republic, have started arriving Nigeria’s border towns like Illela (Sokoto State), Jibiya, and Mai’adua (Katsina State). From there, Nigerian traders—known locally as mallams—are transporting the onions to big markets in the south, like Mile 12 in Lagos, Onitsha in Anambra State, and Port Harcourt in Rivers State.
The sources revealed that these onions variety are known to last longer, very attractive because they were properly dried and stored before being sold, contrary to Nigerian onions, which are usually not well stored, especially during the dry season.
An onion trader based in Lagos, Yusuf Garba, said: “Last week, onions were too expensive. Now that these ones from Niger Republic have arrived, prices are beginning to come down.”
He added that the country usually experience the price hike yearly, especially when the country doesn’t have enough local onions to service the populace.
While some stakeholders in the sector expressed joy that the supply from Niger Republic helps keep a steady supply in the markets, some differ on this, noting that Nigeria needs to improve how it stores and dries onions so that it can be less dependent on other countries.
Another trader, Jubril Jega, noted that despite some problems at the borders and fears of insecurity, this year’s supply has been smoother as a result of good weather and cooperation between communities on both sides of the border.
“For now, onions from Niger Republic will keep Nigeria’s kitchens busy and help families save money at the market.”
