List of Common Foodstuffs in Nigeria (Complete Guide)

Nigeria have different foodstuffs in Nigeria, which I’m going to you’re going to learn in this blogpost, without wasting much time let go to the main business you’re here for.

1. Grains & Cereals

Grains is another popular foodstuff Nigerias packaged  in their homes, this grain & cereals are used to prepare delicious food like jollof rice, tuwo, and akamu.

Most Popular Nigerian Grains

1. Rice – Local (Ofada, Abakaliki) & Foreign (Parboiled, Basmati)

2. Beans – Brown, White, Black-eyed, Oloyin (Honey Beans)

3. Maize (Corn) – Used for pap (ogi), corn pudding, and roasted corn

4. Millet – Used for kunu and local drinks

5. Sorghum (Guinea Corn) – Used for pap, malt drinks, and kunu

6. Wheat – Used for semovita and baking

7. Garri – White and yellow, made from cassava

Pro Tip: Rice and garri are the two most widely consumed grains in Nigeria.

2. Tubers & Root Crops

Tubers are an important source of carbohydrates in Nigerian meals.

Most Common Tubers in Nigeria

1. Yam – Used for pounded yam, yam porridge, or fried yam

2. Sweet Potatoes – Can be boiled, fried, or used for porridge

3. Irish Potatoes – Used for chips and mashed potatoes

4. Cassava – popular used in Nigeria, you can use it to make different foodstufs at a time such has tapioca, garri, Eva, and Fufu ( swallow )

5. Cocoyam – Nigeria add it to ofe Nsala to make it thick.

Pro Tip: Yam is in high demand, especially during the New Yam Festival and festive seasons.

3. Legumes & Nuts

Legumes are protein-rich foods that are list of raw food items in Nigerian.

Most Common Legumes in Nigeria

1. Groundnut (Peanuts) – Used for peanut butter, snacks, and soups
2.  Soya Beans – Nigeria grind it add others important ingredients to make soy milk and protein supplements which help for growths.
3. Bambara Nuts (Okpa) – Popular in the Eastern region
4. Tiger Nuts – Used for making tiger nut drink
5.  Egusi (Melon Seeds) –  is used to prepared hot egusi soup, Nigeria popular favourite.

4. Spices & Seasonings

Spices give Nigerian meals their rich flavors and aroma.

Most Common Spices in Nigeria

1. Pepper – Ata Rodo (Scotch Bonnet), Cameroon Pepper, Dry Pepper
2. Ginger – Used in cooking and herbal remedies
3. Garlic – Enhances taste and has health benefits
4. Onions – A must-have for Nigerian cooking
5. Curry Powder & Thyme – Used for jollof rice, stews, and sauces
6. Locust Beans (Iru/Dawadawa) – Used in traditional soups like ogbono
7. Bay Leaves – Enhances the flavor of rice dishes
8. Nutmeg – Used in baking and some soups
9. Cloves & Black Pepper – Used in soups and medicinal remedies

Pro Tip: When it comes to spicy food Nigerians love it so much. That why Nigeria add fresh pepper ️ to their food. If you cook food without much pepper they can vomit all the food no matter how delicious is it.

5. Vegetables & Leafy Greens

Fresh vegetables add color, nutrients, and taste to Nigerian meals.

Most Popular Nigerian Vegetables

1. Ugu (Pumpkin Leaves) – Used for vegetable soup and porridge
2. Waterleaf – Used in soups like edikang ikong
3. Scent Leaf (Efirin/Nchanwu) – Adds aroma to soups and pepper soup
4. Ewedu – Used for making draw soup, popular among the Yoruba
5. Okra – Used for okra soup
6. Spinach (Green Leaf) – A great substitute for ugu

Pro Tip: Fresh vegetables are best stored in a cool, dry place or refrigerated.

6. Proteins (Meat & Fish)

Proteins are essential in Nigerian meals, whether in soups, stews, or rice dishes.

Most Popular Protein Sources in Nigeria

1. Chicken – Fried, grilled, or used in soups
2. Beef & Goat Meat – Used in stews and soups
3. Turkey – Often fried or grilled for special occasions
4. Snail – A delicacy in Nigerian cuisine
5. Crayfish – Adds flavor to soups and stews
6. Stockfish (Okporoko) – A key ingredient in soups like egusi
7. Tilapia & Catfish – Used for pepper soup and grilling

Pro Tip: Crayfish and stockfish are must-haves for making authentic Nigerian soups.

7. Cooking Oils & Dairy Products 

Cooking oils and dairy products

are used for frying what is fryable, cooking delicious foods, and also baking of cake and others thing.

Type of Cooking Oils in Nigeria

1. Palm Oil – Nigeria used palm oil to cook soups e.g egusi and banga
2. Vegetable Oil – also used for frying chicken and other things and cooking ( stews )
3. Coconut Oil – Used in both cooking and cosmetics
4. Groundnut Oil – Common for frying

Dairy Products

1. Milk (Powdered & Liquid) – Peak, Dano, Three Crowns
2. Butter & Margarine – Blue Band, Flora
3. Cheese – Less common but available in supermarkets

Pro Tip: Palm oil gives Nigerian dishes their authentic traditional taste.

8. Fruits & Snacks

Nigeria is blessed with a variety of fresh fruits and snacks.

Popular Fruits in Nigeria

1. Banana
2. Plantain
3.  Mango
4.  Pawpaw (Papaya)
5. Pineapple
6. Oranges
7.  Watermelon
8.  Avocado

Popular Nigerian Snacks

1. Chin Chin
2. Puff-Puff.
3. Meat Pie
4.  Akara (Bean Cake)
5.  Suya
6.  Roasted Plantain (Boli)

Pro Tip: Plantains are versatile—you can fry, roast, or cook them in porridge.

Where to Buy Foodstuffs in Nigeria

Nigeria have different market to purchase foodstuffs in Nigeria.

Which you’re going to learn here.

So the ;

Best Places to Buy Foodstuffs Cheaply:

Local Markets – Mile 12 (Lagos), Oyingbo, Bodija (Ibadan), Wuse (Abuja)

Supermarkets – Shoprite, Spar, Justrite

Online Stores – Jumia, Konga, PricePally

Wholesale Shops – Buy in bulk to save money

Pro Tip: Early morning is the best time to buy fresh foodstuffs at cheaper prices.

Final Thoughts

If you have the important  foodstuffs in your kitchen, you won’t find it challenging to get something to cook which result to eat balanced diets.

Quick Recap of Essential Nigerian Foodstuffs:

1. Grains & Cereals – Rice, Beans, Garri
2. Tubers & Root Crops – Yam, Sweet Potatoes, Cassava
3. Legumes & Nuts – Groundnut, Egusi, Soya Beans
4. Spices & Seasonings – Pepper, Ginger, Locust Beans
5. Vegetables & Leafy Greens – Ugu, Ewedu, Okra
6. Proteins – Chicken, Beef, Stockfish, Crayfish
7. Cooking Oils & Dairy – Palm Oil, Milk, Butter
8. Fruits & Snacks – Banana, Plantain, Puff-Puff

Want to stock up on foodstuffs? Use this list as your go-to shopping guide.

What’s your favorite list of foodstuff in Nigeria ? Drop a comment below!