Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased to 14.63% in September 2026 from 15.39% in August, marking a 0.76 percentage point drop as the pace of price increases continues to slow.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows, however, that food inflation remained stubbornly high at 19.59% in September, marginally up from 19.57% in August.
While the national average is cooling, the burden is not evenly spread. A state-by-state analysis of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September reveals that northern states are enjoying the biggest relief, dominating the list of places where prices rose slowest.
Of the top 10 most affordable states, six are from the North-East – Taraba, Bauchi, Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe; three from the North-West – Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto; and one from the North-Central – Kogi. Notably, no state from the South-West, South-East or South-South made the top 10.
It is important to note that the ranking is based on year-on-year all-items inflation – the rate at which prices increased over 12 months – and not the absolute cost of living.
10. Sokoto – 8.0%
The former champion fell hard. Sokoto, which topped the chart in August with just 2.1% inflation, dropped to 10th place in September as headline inflation rose to 8.0%. Food inflation, however, improved significantly from 21.3% to 6.1%.
9. Kogi – 7.5%
Kogi slipped from 5th to 9th with 7.5% headline inflation and 8.6% food inflation. Its advantage as a transit corridor linking the North and South continues to support price stability.
8. Yobe – 7.3%
Yobe jumped from 13th in August to 8th in September. Headline inflation stood at 7.3% while food inflation plunged from 22.9% to -0.4%, meaning food prices actually fell compared to last year.
7. Gombe – 7.3%
Gombe matched Yobe at 7.3%. Food inflation eased from 22.9% in August to 13.6% in September, helped by state interventions in agriculture and rural development.
6. Jigawa – 7.0%
Jigawa posted 7.0% headline inflation, up from 3.8% in August. Food inflation rose from -0.2% to 8.1% despite ongoing irrigation and smallholder support programmes.
5. Kebbi – 6.2%
Nigeria’s rice hub ranked 5th with 6.2% headline inflation. Food inflation rose from 3.5% to 5.4%. The state dropped from 2nd place in August.
4. Borno – 4.0%
Borno retained its 4th position as headline inflation slowed from 5.1% to 4.0%. Food inflation moved from -4.0% to 2.2%, as improved security in farming areas boosted supply.
3. Adamawa – 3.7%
The biggest mover of the month. Adamawa surged from 28th in August (16.0%) to 3rd in September with 3.7% headline inflation. Food inflation stood at 11.5%.
2. Bauchi – 2.8%
Bauchi climbed from 6th to 2nd, with headline inflation dropping sharply from 8.2% to 2.8%. The state government credited subsidized fertilizer and dry-season farming programmes.
1. Taraba – 1.8%
Taraba is now Nigeria’s most affordable state. Headline inflation crashed from 10.2% in August to just 1.8% in September, while food inflation fell from 9.3% to -7.5%. Improved farm output and better rural roads for moving produce were key drivers.
Lagos: Still Feeling the Heat
While the North enjoys single-digit rates, Lagos – Nigeria’s commercial capital – ranked 30th nationally with 17.3% headline inflation and a staggering 34.4% food inflation.
High costs of transportation, housing, logistics, storage, energy and strong consumer demand continue to keep prices elevated in the megacity.