The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has advocated the need for the Federal Government to adopt some policy measures as a strategic step towards translating the slowing inflation rate to real gains for Nigerians, businesses and sustained national development.
The organised private sector advocacy group, in its Policy Brief On September Inflation titled ‘Sustaining Nigeria’s Disinflation Trajectory And Tackling Cost Pressures’ signed by its Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muda Yusuf, and issued immediately after the release of the CPI report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday, welcomed the continued moderation in Nigeria’s inflation rate.
It described the general price level moderation as a significant indicator of improving macroeconomic conditions and policy traction.
According to the published CPI figures by the statistics agency, headline inflation eased to 18.02% in September 2025 from 20.12% in August, sustaining the downward trend that began earlier in the year.
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The data showed that month-on-month inflation also slowed marginally from 0.74% to 0.72%, while food inflation dropped sharply from 21.87% in August to 16.87% in September. Similarly, core inflation moderated from 20.33% to 19.53%. These developments suggest that inflationary pressures are gradually subsiding and that recent policy measures are beginning to yield results.
The CPPE maintained that while this disinflation trajectory remained commendable, inflation levels remain high and continue to erode household purchasing power, undermine consumer confidence, and weaken real incomes.
It stressed that the gains achieved so far must therefore be consolidated through decisive and well-targeted policy actions.
Specifically, the Centre pointed out that to consolidate the current gains and sustain the disinflation momentum, the government must Enhance Food Security and Agricultural Productivity by strengthening security in farming regions to facilitate production and market access, expanding irrigation and storage infrastructure to stabilize food supply across seasons, and promote mechanization and input access through targeted support programmes.
Also, the OPS group advised that the government to Reduce Logistics and Transport Costs through the rehabilitation of key federal and state transport corridors, streamlining of checkpoints and eliminate informal levies on inter-state movement, and improving intermodal connectivity to reduce travel time and costs.
On the challenges of energy and production costs, the Centre urged the government to Address Energy and Production Costs by implementing transitional energy support schemes for productive sectors, promoting investments in renewable and off-grid power to enhance reliability, enforcing efficiency in the electricity value chain to lower tariffs and improve supply.
In addition, the CPPE recommended that to Expand Access to Affordable Finance, the monetary and fiscal authorities should deepen credit guarantees and concessional financing for SMEs and the real sector as well as strengthen the development finance institutions’ role in channeling funds to productive enterprises.
Reflecting further on the policy options to sustain the disinflation trend in the economy, the OPS group identified the need for the Reformation of the Port and Trade Logistics by simplifying international trade processes and eliminate multiple agency checkpoints, digitizing clearance procedures to reduce time and costs, and harmonizing port charges and enforce transparency in the port value chain.
It also canvassed that to Sustain Macroeconomic Stability, the government should maintain exchange rate stability through credible market-based mechanisms, strengthen coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities to prevent policy contradictions, and guard against fiscal slippages that could re-ignite inflationary pressures.
In its concluding remarks, the Centre pointed out to move From Stability to Welfare Impact, advocated: “The sustained disinflation trend is a welcome development and a sign of improving macroeconomic fundamentals. However, the cost-of-living crisis remains acute, particularly for low- and middle-income households. The next phase of reform must therefore prioritize welfare-focused and cost-reduction measures that deliver tangible relief to citizens.
“Business confidence is rising, but consumer confidence remains fragile. Policies that enhance productivity, stabilize prices, and reduce the structural cost of doing business will not only strengthen the disinflation trajectory but also foster inclusive and sustainable economic recovery.
“With consistency, coordination, and structural reforms, Nigeria can achieve a stable single-digit inflation rate over the medium term — anchoring growth, improving welfare, and restoring confidence in the economy”, the CPPE stressed.
