Business
Popular and Tasty Street Foods From Across Nigeria
Nigeria’s street food is an essential part of the country’s heated culture and culinary heritage.
The sizzling sounds of grills, the spicy aromas that drift through the air, Nigerian street food is a tasty feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.
It’s more than just food; it’s a cultural experience that brings people together, tells stories, and connects generations.
But beyond the popular dishes we all know, there are hidden gems(street food) waiting to be discovered.
Now, let’s take a deep dive into Nigeria’s diverse street food culture and explore unique flavors and traditions that make it truly special.
Wonders of Nigerian Street Food Culture
Nigerian street food is more than a quick snack; it’s a reflection of the nation’s history and way of life.
In every corner of the country, you’ll find street vendors selling delicious meals that span ethnicities, regions, and even centuries of tradition.
1. Suya
In the bustling cities of Nigeria, one of the most popular dish is Suya — spicy, grilled beef (or chicken) skewers dusted with a fiery peanut spice mix.
Uniquely, it is served with onions, tomatoes, cabbages and a spicy pepper mix.
Suya vendors are common at street corners, and the sound of sizzling meat calls people from all directions.
2. Puff puff
Another beloved dish is Puff Puff. These fluffy, deep-fried dough balls are common at almost every street corner.
Puff Puff is a Nigerian street food made from a simple dough of flour, sugar, yeast, and water.
The dough is deep-fried until golden brown, resulting in fluffy, soft balls with a slightly crispy exterior.
It’s a common treat at parties (small chops), street corners, and even at home, this snack gives a comforting and addictive taste that’s loved by many Nigerians of all ages.
3. Akara (bean cake)
Akara is a popular Nigerian street food made from ground beans, onions, and spices.
The mixture is the shape of a small ball and deep-fried until golden brown.
Often enjoyed as a breakfast dish, it’s commonly paired with pap (fermented cornmeal porridge) or custard.
Akara is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, this makes it a delicious and satisfying snack or meal.
It’s especially loved for its savory flavor and high protein content, making it a nutritious choice for many Nigerians.
4. Abacha
Abacha, also known as Nigerian African salad, is a popular street food from the southeastern part of Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo people.
It is made from dried shredded cassava that is soaked in water and then mixed with a variety of ingredients, including palm oil, ground pepper, onions, and locust beans (ogiri).
Abacha is often garnished with fresh vegetables, such as utazi leaves, and sometimes served with fried fish, meat, or stockfish.
It’s a highly nutritious dish, typically enjoyed as a snack or light meal, and is known for its unique balance of savory, spicy, and tangy flavors.
5. Mishai
Bread and Egg Mishai is a popular street food in Nigeria, common with northern street food vendors.
It consists of a fried egg, seasoned with spices, and served between slices of bread like a sandwich.
The dish is sometimes garnished with vegetables, such as onions and peppers, or served with spicy sauce to add extra flavor.
It’s a quick, filling, and affordable meal that is often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack.
6. Noddles
Mallam Noddles is a popular Nigerian street food made with instant noodles.
It’s commonly served by Northern street vendors who cook the noodles in a flavorful broth and then add a variety of toppings such as fried eggs, vegetables, spicy pepper sauce.
The dish is a fast and delicious meal that’s loved for its convenient spicy flavors.
Kilishi
The northern part of Nigeria introduces a different vibe to street food, thanks to its history of trade routes and influences from the Sahara.
Kilishi is a dried meat snack, and is a unique northern treat.
This snack is made by marinating meat in spices, sun-drying it, and then grilling it until it becomes tender and flavorful.
Masa
Masa is a traditional Northern Nigerian dish made from rice flour, cooked into a soft, sticky consistency.
It’s usually served with a flavorful stew or pepper mix like the suya pepper.
Fun fact
“Did you know that Nigeria is home to one of the world’s largest street food markets?
The Ikeja Underbridge market in Lagos is famous for its distribution of street food vendors, selling everything from grilled plantains (Boli) to spicy Suya.
It’s a lively hotspot where food lovers from all walks of life come together to indulge in authentic Nigerian flavors.”
From the Street to Your Stomach
There’s something about eating food that’s cooked right in front of you.
It’s the combination of fresh ingredients, the skill of the street food vendor, and the lively atmosphere that makes the experience unforgettable.
But it’s not just about the food; it’s the hustle and bustle, and the constant energy that make eating Nigerian street food a full-blown cultural experience.
The Classic Street Food Experience
Every Nigerian knows the joy of standing by a Boli (grilled plantain) vendor.
The smoky aroma of the grilled plantain, roasted yam/corn mixed with groundnut or pepper sauce, the spicy aroma from the suya grill, the early morning akara routine is enough to make anyone’s stomach growl.
A Street Food for Every Mood
Nigerian street food is versatile, and there’s something for every mood and occasion.
Even if you’re craving something sweet, savory, or spicy, the street food scene offers a solution.
Additionally, you can enjoy a quick bite on your way to work, have a hearty meal to end your day, or gather with friends over a shared bowl of Abacha and palm wine.
More Than Just Food
Street food in Nigeria is about more than just filling your stomach.
It’s about the people you meet, the conversations you have, and the sense of belonging you feel when you eat with locals in the hustle and bustle of city life.
For many Nigerians, the street food experience is a daily tradition that provides comfort, joy, and a taste of home, despite hardship and economic imbalance.
Dangote Refinery has reduced its ex-depot price for premium motor spirit (PMS) to N815 per litre. This adjustment follows a drop in fuel landing costs, which recently fell to N774.82 per litre, lower than Dangote’s previous ex-depot price of N825 per litre.
Industry insiders have confirmed the price reduction, although Dangote Refinery has not made any official statement about it.
Chinedu Ukadike, the spokesperson for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, acknowledged the change. He explained that speculation about lower prices for imported products is fueling the competition. He added that since Dangote has a large supply of fuel, reducing prices helps to protect its market share.
It’s unclear whether this reduction will affect the pump price at Dangote-affiliated stations like MRS, which currently sells petrol at N860 per litre in Lagos and N880 in Abuja.
In recent months, Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have been locked in a competitive price battle.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association recently met with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, to push for more stable and competitive fuel prices.
In early 2025, Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape underwent significant changes as major service providers—MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile—implemented substantial increases in their data tariffs.
These adjustments, some exceeding 200%, were introduced following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval of a 50% tariff hike, aiming to address escalating operational costs faced by telecom operators.
NCC’s 50% Tariff Increase Approval
In January 2025, the NCC granted permission for a 50% increase in tariffs, responding to the telecom operators’ appeals to mitigate rising expenses and sustain service quality. This decision marked the first tariff adjustment since 2013, reflecting the need to balance operational costs with revenue generation.
MTN Nigeria
MTN Nigeria implemented extensive price adjustments across its data plans, with some popular offerings experiencing increases of up to 200%. Below is a detailed breakdown of the changes:
1. 15GB Digital Bundle Weekly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦2,000
- New Price: ₦6,000
- Adjustment made: ₦3000 for 7gb
- Percentage Increase: 200%
2. 1.5TB 90-Day Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦150,000
- New Price: ₦240,000
- Percentage Increase: 60%
3. 100GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦20,000
- New Price: ₦25,000 (for 90GB)
- Percentage Increase: 25%
4. 600GB 90-Day Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦75,000
- New Price: ₦120,000 (for 480GB)
- Percentage Increase: 60%
5. 1.8GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦1,000
- New Price: ₦1,500
- Percentage Increase: 50%
6. 20GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦5,500
- New Price: ₦7,500
- Percentage Increase: 36%
7. 25GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦6,500
- New Price: ₦9,750
- Percentage Increase: 50%
8. 10GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦3,500
- New Price: ₦5,250
- Percentage Increase: 50%
9. 5GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦1,500
- New Price: ₦2,250
- Percentage Increase: 50%
10. 1GB Daily Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦350
- New Price: ₦525
- Percentage Increase: 50%
11. 5GB Tuesday Awoof Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦600
- New price: ₦900
- Percentage Increase: 50%
These adjustments and increase has led to consumer dissatisfaction, particularly due to the steep increases in high-capacity data plans.
Airtel Nigeria
Airtel Nigeria also revised its tariffs, affecting data, call, and SMS rates:
1. 23GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦6,000
- New Price: ₦9,000
- Percentage Increase: 50%
2. 10GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦3,000
- New Price: ₦4,500
- Percentage Increase: 50%
These changes prompted concerns among subscribers, especially regarding the affordability of essential data services.
Glo Nigeria
Glo Nigeria adjusted its tariffs in compliance with the NCC’s directive:
1. 24GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦5,000
- New Price: ₦7,500
- Percentage Increase: 50%
2. 10.8GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦2,500
- New Price: ₦3,000
- Percentage Increase: 20%
Glo’s competitive pricing strategy, even after the increase, continued to attract budget-conscious consumers. This has caused many to migrate to this service provider despite the slow network connection.
9mobile
9mobile implemented notable adjustments to its data plans:
1. 22GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦5,000
- New Price: ₦7,500
- Percentage Increase: 50%
MTN Nigeria’s Apology and Acknowledgment of Customer Dissatisfaction
Following the substantial price hikes, MTN Nigeria faced significant backlash from its subscribers. In response, the company issued an apology, acknowledging the abruptness of the increases and admitting to errors in their implementation.
In a statement addressing their “₦2000 for 15GB digital bundle lovers,” MTN expressed: “You dey vex. We know. We know how upsetting it must have been to suddenly wake up to a 200% increase on your favourite digital bundle.”
The company further admitted, “We don cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake.”
This candid acknowledgment aimed to mend the strained relationship with customers, emphasizing their importance to the company. MTN concluded with a plea for forgiveness.
“In this love season, don’t stay angry with us. Please forgive and forget. You matter, die and we will never stop showing you how much.” Despite the apology, MTN did not indicate any plans to reverse or adjust the new pricing structure, as it still remains the same.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has not reduced the price of premium motor spirit (PMS).
IPMAN’s spokesperson, Chinedu Ukadike, clarified that the ex-depot price of NNPC petrol remains N940 per litre, despite reports claiming a price drop to N860 in Lagos and Abuja.
When asked about the alleged price reduction, NNPC’s spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied the claims. A check on NNPC’s official X account also showed no announcement regarding a price change.
Ukadike emphasized that any adjustment in NNPC’s petrol price would typically be reflected on its portal for marketers, but as of now, there has been no such update.
“The ex-depot price of PMS is still N940 on NNPC’s portal. We have no information about any price reduction,” he said.
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