The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has published its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for May 2025, revealing the ten Nigerian states most affected by inflation. The rankings are determined by the year-on-year (YoY) change in all-items inflation, which serves as a measure of the overall cost of living in each state.
According to the NBS, Nigeria’s headline inflation rate dropped to 22.97% in May 2025 from 23.71% recorded in April. This data comes from the latest CPI report, which tracks changes in consumer prices across the country.
This decline reflects a 0.74 percentage point reduction on a year-on-year basis and a substantial 10.98 percentage point decrease when compared to May 2024, when the inflation rate was at 33.95%. Month-on-month inflation also eased to 1.53% in May from 1.86% in April, indicating a slower pace of price increases.
Food inflation often the most immediate burden on households remained high at 21.14% year-on-year. However, this is a significant drop from the 40.66% recorded in May 2024. The decrease is partly explained by the base effect following the CPI rebasing to reflect 2024 as the new benchmark year.
Despite the year-on-year moderation, month-on-month food inflation rose slightly to 2.19% in May, up from 2.06% in April. This uptick was driven by fresh price increases in essential items such as yam, cassava, maize flour, sweet potatoes, fresh pepper, and Ogbono. The data suggests that while annual inflation may appear to ease, many Nigerians continue to face rising food costs in real time.
Food inflation remains the primary source of inflationary pressure, especially in the northern regions of Nigeria. Persistent insecurity, fragile supply networks, and climate-related disruptions continue to exacerbate the situation in these areas.
Below is a detailed list of the top 10 states in Nigeria with the highest cost of living as of May 2025:
10. Benue State
Benue recorded a year-on-year all-items inflation rate of 25.9%, with a month-on-month increase of 3.1%. Food inflation in the state stood at 22.0% YoY and rose by 4.1% MoM. The inflationary pressure in Benue appears to be largely food-driven.
As an agricultural hub, disruptions in farming activities may be playing a significant role in driving up food prices.
9. Edo State
Edo reported an annual inflation rate of 26.0%. Despite this, the state experienced a notable 2.9% decrease in month-on-month inflation; the steepest decline among the top 10 states.
However, food prices remain problematic, rising 4.3% MoM and 19.4% YoY. The contrast suggests that the overall inflation decline may stem from reduced costs in non-food sectors such as transport or utilities, even as food inflation persists.
8. Cross River State
Cross River recorded 26.1% year-on-year headline inflation and a sharp 4.3% rise month-on-month. Food inflation in the state soared to 27.3% YoY and 11.1% MoM; the highest monthly food inflation rate nationwide.
This spike points to significant disruptions in food supply chains or market instability, possibly aggravated by speculative pricing and poor transport logistics.
7. Taraba State
Taraba posted a 26.5% inflation rate on a year-on-year basis and 4.2% month-on-month. Food inflation was particularly severe, reaching 38.6% YoY and 5.4% MoM.
The high food inflation figures suggest serious agricultural supply issues, with rising costs for both fresh produce and staples likely due to logistical or security challenges affecting rural areas.
6. Nasarawa State
Nasarawa State reported 27.4% inflation year-on-year and 2.5% month-on-month. Food inflation stood at 25.3% YoY but was largely stable on a monthly basis at just 0.2%.
This mild monthly growth suggests temporary food price stability, though long-term pressures persist possibly driven by factors like rent, energy costs, or transport.
5. Oyo State
Oyo experienced a headline inflation rate of 28.9% YoY, alongside a modest 0.8% month-on-month decline. Food inflation came in at 19.1% annually and -0.1% monthly, indicating slight deflation in food prices. The easing trend may be due to improved food supply or temporary government relief in transportation costs, although overall living expenses remain high.
4. Abuja (FCT)
The Federal Capital Territory recorded a 31.1% YoY inflation rate, with a marginal month-on-month dip of -0.1%. While general price levels stayed relatively flat, food inflation rose sharply to 26.7% YoY and 6.4% MoM.
This indicates that despite overall price moderation, rising food costs likely due to dependence on supplies from neighboring states, continue to burden residents.
3. Plateau State
Plateau reported 32.3% headline inflation year-on-year and a 0.4% increase month-on-month. Food inflation stood at 18.6% YoY, with a 1.7% decrease MoM—placing it among the few states to record a drop in food prices in May. However, the elevated overall inflation suggests that non-food expenses like healthcare, transport, or education are pushing the cost of living higher.
2. Niger State
Niger recorded a 35.0% YoY inflation rate and 3.5% MoM. Food inflation came in at 30.3% YoY and remained nearly flat month-on-month at 0.2%. The minimal monthly movement in food prices contrasts with the substantial annual increase, which may reflect deeper structural problems such as insecurity, high fuel costs, and weak intra-state trade routes.
1. Borno State
Borno emerged as the most inflation-impacted state in May 2025, recording the highest all-items inflation rate at 38.9% YoY and 4.4% MoM. Food inflation was alarmingly high at 64.4% YoY, with an 8.0% MoM increase; the second highest in the nation.
These figures reflect deep-rooted economic instability, as conflict, displacement, and supply chain disruptions continue to severely restrict access to food and other essentials.
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