Nigeria’s commercial hubs of Ibadan and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, are currently the most vulnerable food markets, a new report by SBM Intelligence reveals.
The report, as seen by ENigeria Newspaper, titled The Price of a Parcel: An Analysis of Land Disputes and Their Impact on Food Security in Nigeria, links violent land conflicts to supply chain breakdowns, soaring food prices, and growing malnutrition concerns.
Abuja, the nation’s food distribution hub, recorded the highest supply chain disruption score at 2.70. Traders in the FCT confirmed frequent delays, with 60 percent saying supply disruptions occur “very often” due to ongoing land disputes in farming communities across the Middle Belt.
“Abuja is Nigeria’s food distribution hub, drawing supplies from across the country. Its high vulnerability reflects exposure to conflicts from multiple source areas,” the report states.
Ibadan, meanwhile, shows an even more alarming picture. The report notes that 100 percent of surveyed traders in the city have been affected by land conflicts, with 64.5 percent reporting a “significant increase” in disputes.
“Unlike Lagos, where supply chains remain relatively stable despite an urban land crisis, Ibadan’s vulnerability lies in its proximity to contested agricultural zones,” SBM Intelligence observes. Transport routes are increasingly unsafe, supplies are delayed, and traders face rising uncertainty over inventory and pricing.
The study draws on 54 violent incidents over 76 months, from October 2019 to January 2026, across nine cities including Abuja, Ibadan, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Onitsha, Awka, Port Harcourt, and Calabar. These incidents resulted in at least 112 deaths, highlighting the deadly consequences of unresolved land disputes.
Traders in both cities report that these conflicts have translated into higher purchase costs, rising transportation fees, and reduced incomes due to market closures and lower customer turnout.
“When goods arrive late or in reduced quantities, prices rise. When transport becomes dangerous, costs are passed along. When markets shut or customers stay away, incomes shrink,” the report explains, showing how the cycle reinforces itself.
Institutional failures are a deeper problem. According to the survey, opinions of how well authorities handle land disputes are generally low, average 2.05 out of 4.
“Land conflicts frequently overwhelm local peacekeeping capacities and judicial processes, exploding into communal warfare,” the report warns. In some cases, security forces have been targeted or accused of bias, further complicating resolution efforts.
Rising global energy costs are also exacerbating the situation. Fuel price hikes from N835 to over N1,200 per litre have increased transport costs along key trade corridors, adding to food price inflation.
The findings of SBM Intelligence show how Nigeria’s urban food economy is changing due to unresolved land conflicts and energy shocks, with Ibadan and Abuja at the center of the dilemma.
