Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has questioned the credibility of Nigeria’s latest inflation figures, disputing the 15.43 percent headline inflation rate recorded in July 2026.
Oseni made the remarks on The Morning Show on Tuesday while reacting to the latest inflation figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The NBS, in its Consumer Price Index and inflation report released on Monday, said Nigeria’s headline inflation fell to 15.43 percent in July from 15.91 percent recorded in June.
However, Oseni argued that the figures did not reflect the realities Nigerians face in the market, particularly the continued high prices of essential commodities.
“I don’t believe a lot of the data that comes out of this administration,” Oseni said.
He also questioned the change in the inflation base year and raised concerns over government accountability, citing the alleged N8.8 trillion in extra-budgetary spending.
Oseni said Nigerians were yet to see a detailed breakdown of how the money was spent, arguing that the lack of transparency undermines confidence in official government data.
He further questioned whether the decline in the inflation rate had translated into lower prices for consumers.
“You know, we are saying the inflation rate is 15.4-something. Have prices gone back in the market to the prices you used to have before?” he asked.
Oseni accused the government of presenting economic figures that do not correspond with the everyday experiences of Nigerians.
“Okay, let’s keep deceiving ourselves. You see this charade of deceit, this dance of deceit. One day, we will come to the market square and clap for ourselves. Let the deceit continue,” he said.
His comments come amid continued debate over Nigeria’s falling inflation rate and whether the decline is being felt by households and businesses.
Although the NBS reported a drop in headline inflation, the prices of many food items and other essential goods remain considerably higher than they were before the recent decline in the inflation rate.
