As Nigerians continue to face rising living costs, new data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for January 2026 highlights the states offering the greatest relief to residents in terms of affordability.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate moderated slightly to 15.10 percent in January 2026, down from 15.15 percent in December 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the NBS.
The marginal decline of 0.05 percentage points signals a continued easing of price pressures at the start of the year, extending the gradual slowdown observed in recent months.
The year-on-year improvement is even more pronounced. Compared to January 2025, when inflation stood at 27.61 percent, the rate has fallen by 12.51 percentage points, reflecting a significant moderation in overall price growth across the country.
While national figures provide a broad overview of economic trends, cost-of-living conditions differ considerably across states.
Based on state-level inflation data, the following are the Top 10 most affordable states to live in January 2026, ranked by lowest headline inflation rates and reflecting relative stability in essential goods and services.
Delta State recorded a headline inflation rate of 13.58 percent, representing a decline from the 15.6 percent posted in December 2025. Food inflation also eased significantly to 6.6 percent, down from 12.5 percent in December 2025 — a trend that suggests relatively stable agricultural supply chains and improved market distribution across the oil-producing state.
In response to inflationary pressures, the state government led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has implemented a range of measures between 2024 and 2026 aimed at cushioning residents and strengthening the local economy.
These interventions focus on boosting purchasing power, supporting small businesses, and sustaining infrastructure development despite rising costs.
As part of its economic support strategy, the government recently partnered with the Bank of Industry to establish a N1 billion revolving fund for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The facility is designed to provide affordable financing, stimulate enterprise growth, and reduce the cost of doing business in the state.
Additional initiatives include the rollout of the second phase of the Delta State Youth Empowerment Programme (ICT-YEP), benefiting 575 participants, as well as expanded agricultural support through the distribution of inputs to more than 6,020 farmers to further strengthen food production.
