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Nigeria’s headline inflation eased to 18.02% in September 2025 from 20.12% in August, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report showed that the food inflation rate stood at 16.87% year-on-year, down by 20.9 percentage points from 37.77% in September 2024, largely due to the change in the base year.
On a month-on-month basis, headline inflation rose by 0.72%, slightly lower than the 0.74% recorded in August.
The NBS noted that food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed the most to inflation at 7.21 percentage points, followed by restaurants and accommodation services at 2.33 percentage points
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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 September 2025, according to the NBS report:
Kogi – 19.5%
Kogi recorded an all-items inflation rate of 19.5% in September, placing it at the bottom of the top ten. Food inflation stood at 17.4%, slightly below headline inflation. The monthly data showed marginal declines, with food down by 1.8% and all items by 1.5%. This suggests a mild easing of pressures, with non-food items adding more weight to overall inflation than food.
Borno – 19.7%
Borno’s headline inflation rate was 19.7%, while food inflation stood at 16.4%. Food prices fell sharply month-on-month by 13%, the steepest decline among all states, but the overall index still contracted only by 3.1%. This gap highlights that non-food elements such as utilities and services remain significant cost drivers.
Abia – 19.9%
Abia’s inflation reached 19.9%, with food inflation at 15.3%. Food costs dropped by 5.5% month-on-month, yet headline inflation inched up 1%. The divergence suggests services and non-food items were the main drivers of household expenses. The persistence of core inflation pressures reflects a broad cost burden beyond the food basket.
Edo – 20.2%
Edo posted a headline rate of 20.2% against food inflation of 15.8%. Month-on-month, food fell by 4.3%, but the general index rose by 1.8%. The uptick points to cost escalation in non-food categories such as housing, energy, and transport, which outweighed relief in the food segment.
Kaduna – 20.6%
Kaduna’s headline inflation stood at 20.6%, with food inflation at 18.5%. On a monthly basis, food costs dropped by 6.4%, yet the all-items index edged up by 0.1%. This reflects sticky non-food inflation, especially in urban consumption, where energy and services exert significant influence.
Ekiti – 20.8%
Ekiti recorded headline inflation of 20.8%, but food inflation soared to 28.7% — the highest among the top ten states. Monthly food inflation jumped 12.8%, even as overall inflation dropped by 3.8%. The data leaves no doubt that food is the principal driver in Ekiti, with surging staple costs pushing households into tighter corners.
Osun – 20.8%
Osun also registered a headline inflation rate of 20.8%, but food inflation was lower at 18.2%. The monthly picture shows food down 2.3% while all items rose 1.6%. This suggests broad-based inflation pressures in non-food categories, distinguishing Osun from Ekiti, where food inflation dominates.
Nasarawa – 22.3%
Nasarawa posted 22.3% headline inflation, with food inflation even higher at 22.7%. On a monthly basis, food rose 9.8% while the general index climbed 7.5%. This reflects one of the strongest inflationary surges in September, with food prices clearly leading the charge. Households in Nasarawa continue to grapple with steep price escalations in essentials.
Katsina – 23.5%
Katsina’s all-items inflation hit 23.5%, but food inflation was relatively subdued at 17.4%. Food rose by 6.3% month-on-month, but the headline index grew by 2.4%. The gap suggests that non-food inflation is dominant, with strong pressures likely from transport and energy costs. Katsina’s inflation pattern reflects broad-based rather than food-specific pressures.
Adamawa – 23.7%
Adamawa topped the chart in September with 23.7% headline inflation, making it the most expensive state. Food inflation stood at 18.1%, showing that non-food costs were also substantial. Monthly inflation rose steeply by 8.2% for all items and 7.3% for food. The across-the-board surge signals that both food and non-food segments are tightening cost of living for residents.
