The latest report from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics reveals the ten states with the steepest annual increases in the cost of goods and services, with a mix of food and non-food pressures shaping each state’s experience

Also Nigeria’s headline inflation slowed for the fifth consecutive month in August 2025, providing some relief for consumers already weighed down by high living costs.

According to the latest data, headline inflation dropped to 20.12 per cent, down from 21.88 per cent in July 2025, marking a 1.76 percentage point decline month-on-month and a significant drop from 32.15 per cent recorded in August 2024.

The Consumer Price Index, which measures the average change in prices of goods and services, inched up to 126.8 in August 2025 from 125.9 in July, while on a month-on-month basis, inflation stood at 0.74 per cent, notably lower than 1.99 per cent in July, indicating slower price increases compared to the previous month.

Food prices, the biggest driver of inflation in Nigeria, also moderated in August, with food inflation dropping to 21.87% year-on-year, down from 37.52% in August 2024. On a month-on-month basis, food inflation slowed sharply to 1.65%, from 3.12% in July 2025.

The decline was attributed to falling prices in staples such as rice (local and imported), guinea corn flour, maize flour, millet, semolina, and soya milk, with the twelve-month average food inflation rate at 25.75%, down from 36.99% recorded in August 2024.

Despite the moderation, food prices remain elevated, especially in northern states where insecurity and poor logistics continue to disrupt supply.

10. Bayelsa ranked 10th with an all-items inflation rate of 23.8% in August 2025, with its all-items index rising from 104.9 in August 2024 to 129.9 in August 2025 and a monthly rise of 4.3%, showing that inflationary pressures are still strong, though its food index fell from 131.6 in July to 119.1 in August, representing a monthly decline of -9.5% and an annual food inflation of 13.4%, well below the all-items rate, indicating that food was not the main driver of inflation, with pressure instead coming from non-food categories such as housing, transport, and services.

9. The Federal Capital Territory recorded an all-items inflation rate of 24.2% in August 2025, with its all-items index increasing from 105.5 in August 2024 to 131.0 in August 2025, reflecting the rising cost of living in the city, and a month-on-month inflation rise of 0.9%, showing relative stability in non-food categories, though food prices surged, with the food index rising from 127.3 in July to 132.0 in August, translating to a monthly food inflation of 3.7% and an annual food inflation of 23.5%, almost equal to the all-items rate, suggesting that food remains the major driver of inflation in Abuja.

8. Ogun posted an all-items inflation rate of 24.3%, with the index climbing from 104.5 in August 2024 to 129.9 in August 2025 and a monthly all-items inflation of 3.1%, showing sustained cost pressures, while annual food inflation stood at 23.6%, and though the food index dropped from 132.1 in July to 129.1 in August, giving a monthly food decline of -2.3%, it still contributed heavily to the state’s high cost of living, though non-food categories were also strong contributors.

7. Kwara’s all-items inflation rate was 24.4% in August 2025, with the index moving from 106.8 in August 2024 to 132.8 in August 2025 and a monthly all-items inflation rise of 5.2%, one of the highest among the top 10 states, while annual food inflation was 21.3%, slightly lower than the overall inflation rate, and the food index rose from 126.6 in July to 128.4 in August, producing a monthly food inflation of 1.4%, indicating that while food prices added to inflation, non-food items such as utilities and services were more responsible for the sharp month-on-month increase.

6. Plateau recorded an all-items inflation rate of 24.8%, with its index rising from 106.4 in August 2024 to 132.8 in August 2025 and monthly all-items inflation of 4.1%, showing continued price pressures, though food inflation was more subdued, with the food index falling from 124.0 in July to 123.2 in August, producing a monthly decline of -0.7% and an annual food inflation of 14.6%, much lower than the all-items figure, confirming that non-food inflation was the key driver in Plateau, with costs of energy, housing, and services dominating.

5. Niger recorded an all-items inflation rate of 25.5% in August 2025, with the index rising from 105.6 in August 2024 to 132.5 in August 2025 and monthly inflation modest at 0.9%, but the divergence between food and non-food inflation was striking, with food inflation at only 14.5%, and the food index falling sharply from 129.7 in July to 121.8 in August, representing a monthly drop of -6.1%, suggesting that non-food categories such as services, utilities, and transport drove inflation in Niger, while food costs provided temporary relief.

4. After consistently topping the list, Borno posted an all-items inflation rate of 26.3%, making it the fourth most expensive state in August 2025, with the all-items index rising from 106.2 in August 2024 to 134.1 in August 2025 and a monthly basis inflation fall of -3.5%, one of the few declines in the country, though food inflation remained extremely high at 36.7%, the highest among the top 10 states, and despite the annual surge, the food index fell from 162.2 in July to 148.0 in August, producing a monthly food decline of -8.7%, showing that while food inflation drives the high annual figure, recent monthly declines may signal some relief, although insecurity and logistics constraints still weigh heavily.

3. Oyo ranked third with an all-items inflation rate of 26.6%, with the all-items index increasing from 105.4 in August 2024 to 133.5 in August 2025 and a monthly basis inflation rise of 4.0%, showing persistent price pressures, while annual food inflation was 28.0%, higher than the overall rate, confirming that food is a major driver, and the food index rose from 131.6 in July to 135.8 in August, representing a monthly increase of 3.2%, meaning for households in Oyo, food inflation continues to dominate the cost-of-living challenge, with broader non-food costs adding to the strain.

2. Kano recorded an all-items inflation rate of 27.3% in August 2025, the second highest in the country, with the all-items index rising from 104.8 in August 2024 to 133.3 in August 2025 and a monthly basis inflation growth of 4.3%, while food inflation stood at 30.4%, higher than the headline rate, confirming that food is the leading driver, and the food index increased sharply from 130.3 in July to 137.2 in August, producing a monthly food inflation of 5.3%, the highest among the top 10, and with Kano serving as a key food and trade hub in the North, these figures underline the critical impact of food inflation on the region’s economy.

1. Ekiti was the most expensive state in Nigeria in August 2025, with an all-items inflation rate of 28.2%, with the all-items index rising from 105.3 in August 2024 to 135.0 in August 2025 and monthly all-items inflation also the highest among the top 10 at 6.1%, showing a steep rise in living costs, though interestingly, food inflation was relatively lower at 16.8%, with the food index falling from 133.0 in July to 124.0 in August, producing a monthly decline of -6.8%, indicating that non-food costs—particularly housing, electricity, fuel, and services—are the primary drivers of inflation in Ekiti, overshadowing food price trends.