The Central Bank of Nigeria released its January 2026 Household Expectations Survey, showing the overall consumer sentiment index fell to 2.8 index points from 4.8 in December 2025, while remaining positive for a third consecutive month. The economic condition index stood at 7.4 points, while the family financial situation index was negative at -8.2 points and family income sentiment remained positive at 9.1 points. Forward-looking readings point to improving optimism, with the consumer outlook at 9.2 points for February 2026, 13.8 points over the next three months, and 19.4 points over the next six months (July 2026). On prices, sentiment regarding price changes turned positive at 4.2 points from -1.4 points in December 2025, indicating respondents perceived prices as currently low and expected them to remain low next month, although the next three-month reading was slightly negative at -0.5 points. The index for average prices of selected items moderated to 22.6 points from 25.9 points, including a negative reading of -31.7 points for food and other household items, while expected average prices of selected items remained elevated at 31.8 points over the next three months and 37.7 points over the next six months.
Central Bank of Nigeria 2026-02-13
Central Bank of Nigeria publishes January 2026 Household Expectations Survey as consumer sentiment eases to 2.8
The Central Bank of Nigeria's January 2026 Household Expectations Survey shows a decline in the consumer sentiment index to 2.8 points from 4.8 in December 2025, though it remains positive for the third consecutive month. Forward-looking indicators suggest increasing optimism, with consumer outlook rising to 9.2 points for February 2026 and further improvements expected over the next six months. Price sentiment turned positive at 4.2 points, with expectations of low prices in the near term, despite a slight negative outlook for the next three months.