Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased to 15.15% in December 2025, marking a 2.18 percentage-point drop from 17.33% in November, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The figure also represents a sharp improvement from the 34.8% recorded in December 2024, signalling relief for households grappling with high living costs.
WHAT CHANGED — AND WHY IT MATTERS
In its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for December 2025, the NBS showed that price pressures slowed further on a month-on-month basis, with inflation at 0.54%, down from 1.22% in November. This indicates a slower rise in general prices, a key signal watched by businesses and policymakers.
The statistics agency clarified that recent CPI methodology adjustments accounted for projected movements in December’s data, stressing that the changes were technical and not a sign of worsening economic conditions.
FOOD PRICES EASE — GARRI, BEANS, TOMATOES LEAD
Food inflation, a major driver of household spending, fell sharply to 10.84% year-on-year in December 2025, down from 39.84% a year earlier. The decline was driven by lower prices of tomatoes, garri, eggs, potatoes, carrots, millet, vegetables, plantain, beans, wheat grain, ground pepper, and onions—items central to daily meals.
Regional snapshot (Food inflation, YoY):
-
Highest: Yobe (15.25%), Ogun (14.12%), Abuja (13.24%)
-
Lowest: Akwa Ibom (4.34%), Sokoto (4.62%), Plateau (6.19%)
On a month-on-month basis, food prices rose most in Imo (3.19%), Nasarawa (3.16%), and Yobe (1.18%), while Plateau (-2.76%), Rivers (-2.50%), and Zamfara (-1.93%) recorded declines.
CORE, URBAN AND RURAL TRENDS
-
Core inflation (excluding food and energy) eased to 18.63% YoY from 29.28% a year earlier; MoM slowed to 0.58%, though the 12-month average stayed elevated at 23.49%.
-
Urban inflation dropped to 14.85% YoY from 37.29% in December 2024; MoM ticked up slightly to 0.99%.
-
Rural inflation declined to 14.56% YoY and posted a MoM fall of 0.55%, reversing November’s increase.
STATE-BY-STATE: WHO FEELS IT MOST
At the state level, Abia recorded the highest year-on-year inflation at 19.03%, followed by Ogun (18.80%) and Katsina (18.66%). Sokoto posted the lowest at 8.61%.
Inflation has been one of Nigeria’s toughest economic challenges in recent years, driven by food supply shocks, logistics costs, and energy prices. December’s data suggests meaningful easing, especially on food—offering cautious optimism for consumers—while underscoring the need for sustained supply-side improvements to lock in gains.
