Rufai Oseni Challenges NBS 15.43% July Inflation Figure as Misleading
Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni disputed the National Bureau of Statistics' claim that Nigeria's headline inflation fell to 15.43% in July 2026 from 15.91% in June, saying the figures do not reflect market realities. He made the remarks on The Morning Show on Tuesday, reacting to the NBS report released Monday. Oseni argued the administration lacks credibility, citing a base year change that artificially lowered inflation and the unresolved N8.8 trillion extra-budgetary spending identified by the IMF or World Bank. He also pointed to repeated promises about refinery revival, noting President Tinubu congratulated NNPC on working refineries in November 2024 but in 2026 spoke of reviving them again. Oseni warned Nigerians are deceiving themselves by accepting data that does not match lived experience, as essential commodity prices remain high despite the reported inflation drop. This matters because inflation statistics guide monetary policy, wage negotiations, and public trust in economic management; misleading figures can lead to poor personal and business decisions. Readers should treat official inflation numbers with skepticism, track actual market prices for budgeting, and demand transparency from the government on spending and methodology. Will you rely on the NBS 15.43% figure when planning your expenses, or will you trust your own shopping experience and adjust your budget accordingly?