Top 10 most expensive states to live in Nigeria in August 2025  

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 from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), headline inflation dropped to 20.12%, down from 21.88% in July 2025. This marks a 1.76 percentage point decline month-on-month and a significant drop from 32.15% recorded in August 2024.

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

Food prices, the biggest driver of inflation in Nigeria, also moderated in August. Food inflation dropped 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. The twelve-month average food inflation rate was 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.

The latest report 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.

Below is a breakdown of the 10 highest-inflation states in August 2025, according to the NBS report:   

Bayelsa

Bayelsa ranked 10th with an all-items inflation rate of 23.8% in August 2025. The state’s all-items index rose from 104.9 in August 2024 to 129.9 in August 2025. On a monthly basis, the all-items index rose 4.3%, showing that inflationary pressures are still strong. However, food inflation in Bayelsa diverged, with the food index falling from 131.6 in July to 119.1 in August, representing a monthly decline of -9.5%. On an annual basis, food inflation stood at 13.4%, well below the all-items rate, indicating that food was not the main driver of inflation. Instead, the pressure came from non-food categories such as housing, transport, and services.

Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory recorded an all-items inflation rate of 24.2% in August 2025. Abuja’s all-items index increased from 105.5 in August 2024 to 131.0 in August 2025, reflecting the rising cost of living in the city. Month-on-month, inflation rose by 0.9%, showing relative stability in non-food categories. However, 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%. Annual food inflation stood at 23.5%, almost equal to the all-items rate, suggesting that food remains the major driver of inflation in Abuja.

Ogun

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. On a monthly basis, all-items inflation was 3.1%, showing sustained cost pressures. Annual food inflation stood at 23.6%, and while 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. Ogun’s inflation, however, reflects that non-food categories were also strong contributors, given the continued rise in the overall all-items index.

Kwara

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. On a monthly basis, all-items inflation rose 5.2%, one of the highest among the top 10 states. Annual food inflation was 21.3%, slightly lower than the overall inflation rate. The food index rose from 126.6 in July to 128.4 in August, producing a monthly food inflation of 1.4%. This indicates 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.

Plateau

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. Monthly all-items inflation was 4.1%, showing continued price pressures. However, food inflation was more subdued. The food index fell from 124.0 in July to 123.2 in August, producing a monthly decline of -0.7%. On an annual basis, food inflation stood at 14.6%, much lower than the all-items figure. This confirms that non-food inflation was the key driver in Plateau, with costs of energy, housing, and services dominating.

Niger

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. Monthly inflation was modest at 0.9%, but the divergence between food and non-food inflation was striking. Food inflation stood at only 14.5%, and the food index fell sharply from 129.7 in July to 121.8 in August, representing a monthly drop of -6.1%. This suggests that non-food categories such as services, utilities, and transport drove inflation in Niger, while food costs provided temporary relief.

Borno

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. The all-items index rose from 106.2 in August 2024 to 134.1 in August 2025. On a monthly basis, inflation fell by -3.5%, one of the few declines in the country. Food inflation, however, remained extremely high at 36.7%, the highest among the top 10 states. 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%. This shows that while food inflation drives the high annual figure, recent monthly declines may signal some relief, although insecurity and logistics constraints still weigh heavily.

Oyo

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

Kano

Kano recorded an all-items inflation rate of 27.3% in August 2025, the second highest in the country. The all-items index rose from 104.8 in August 2024 to 133.3 in August 2025. On a monthly basis, inflation grew 4.3%. Food inflation stood at 30.4%, higher than the headline rate, confirming that food is the leading driver. 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. 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.

Ekiti

Ekiti was the most expensive state in Nigeria in August 2025, with an all-items inflation rate of 28.2%. The all-items index rose from 105.3 in August 2024 to 135.0 in August 2025. Monthly all-items inflation was also the highest among the top 10 at 6.1%, showing a steep rise in living costs. 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%. This indicates that non-food costs—particularly housing, electricity, fuel, and services—are the primary drivers of inflation in Ekiti, overshadowing food price trends.