The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for May 2025, ranking the top 10 most inflation-hit states in Nigeria. The ranking reflects year-on-year changes in all-items inflation, which serves as a measure of the overall cost of living in each state.
According to the report, Nigeria’s headline inflation rate dropped slightly to 22.97% in May 2025, down from 23.71% in April—a 0.74 percentage point decline. Compared to the same period in 2024, when inflation stood at 33.95%, this represents a significant year-on-year moderation of 10.98 percentage points.
On a month-on-month basis, inflation slowed to 1.53% in May, from 1.86% in April, suggesting a cooling in the rate at which consumer prices are rising. However, food inflation—a major burden on Nigerian households—remains a critical issue. While food inflation dropped sharply year-on-year to 21.14% (from 40.66% in May 2024, thanks in part to CPI rebasing), it edged up month-on-month to 2.19%, indicating continued price increases in key staples.
The northern states continue to experience the highest inflationary pressures, largely due to persistent insecurity, supply chain disruptions, and weather-related challenges.
Here are the 10 most expensive states to live in Nigeria as of May 2025:
10. Benue State
- Headline Inflation (YoY): 25.9%
- Monthly Inflation (MoM): 3.1%
- Food Inflation (YoY): 22.0%
- Food Inflation (MoM): 4.1%
Food prices remain the main inflationary driver in this key agricultural state, where insecurity and disrupted farm activities are impacting supply.
9. Edo State
- Headline Inflation (YoY): 26.0%
- MoM: -2.9% (sharpest drop among top 10)
- Food Inflation (YoY): 19.4%
- Food Inflation (MoM): 4.3%
Despite a drop in overall monthly inflation, food costs are climbing—suggesting price relief in non-food sectors like energy or transport.
8. Cross River State
- Headline Inflation (YoY): 26.1%
- MoM: 4.3%
- Food Inflation (YoY): 27.3%
- Food Inflation (MoM): 11.1% (highest monthly food inflation)
A surge in food prices—likely due to supply chain inefficiencies and speculative pricing—makes Cross River one of the most volatile states in May.
7. Taraba State
- Headline Inflation (YoY): 26.5%
- MoM: 4.2%
- Food Inflation (YoY): 38.6%
- Food Inflation (MoM): 5.4%
Taraba is grappling with severe food inflation, among the highest in the country, amid supply constraints and agricultural bottlenecks.
6. Nasarawa State
- Headline Inflation (YoY): 27.4%
- MoM: 2.5%
- Food Inflation (YoY): 25.3%
- Food Inflation (MoM): 0.2%
Monthly food price increases have slowed, suggesting temporary stability, although broader inflation remains high.
5. Oyo State
- Headline Inflation (YoY): 28.9%
- MoM: -0.8%
- Food Inflation (YoY): 19.1%
- Food Inflation (MoM): -0.1%
Oyo recorded mild deflation in food prices, hinting at improved supply or interventions like transportation subsidies.
4. Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
- Headline Inflation (YoY): 31.1%
- MoM: -0.1%
- Food Inflation (YoY): 26.7%
- Food Inflation (MoM): 6.4%
Though overall inflation was stable, Abuja saw sharp food price spikes, likely due to its reliance on imported produce from surrounding regions.
3. Plateau State
- Headline Inflation (YoY): 32.3%
- MoM: 0.4%
- Food Inflation (YoY): 18.6%
- Food Inflation (MoM): -1.7%
Plateau is one of the few states experiencing food price deflation, but other essential services—such as health and education—are pushing costs up.
2. Niger State
- Headline Inflation (YoY): 35.0%
- MoM: 3.5%
- Food Inflation (YoY): 30.3%
- Food Inflation (MoM): 0.2%
Despite some stability in May, Niger faces long-term inflationary pressures due to insecurity, high fuel prices, and poor market access.
1. Borno State (Most Expensive)
- Headline Inflation (YoY): 38.9%
- MoM: 4.4%
- Food Inflation (YoY): 64.4%
- Food Inflation (MoM): 8.0%
Borno tops the list with the highest inflation nationwide. Ongoing insurgency, displaced farming communities, and transport bottlenecks have made basic food and goods unaffordable for many residents.
Summary:
While Nigeria’s inflation outlook is improving year-on-year, real-time cost pressures remain intense in many states—especially in the North—where insecurity and weak infrastructure continue to strain food availability and push living costs higher.
