₦airaland Forum

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate has dropped to 24.48% year-on-year in January 2025, following the rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

There is a decline in the general price level of goods and services compared to 34.80% in December 2024, which was calculated using the previous methodology.

The recent rebasing of Nigeria’s CPI by the NBS significantly altered inflation metrics across the country.

The NBS updated the base year from 2009 to 2024, revised the weighting structure to reflect current spending patterns, and expanded the product basket to better capture household consumption. The shift from the Dutot index to the Jevon index also improved price measurement accuracy. While the revised CPI figures suggest lower inflation, the reality for many households remains unchanged, as food and essential goods continue to drive up living costs.

However, despite this methodological change, regional disparities in the cost of living persist, with some states remaining significantly more expensive than others.

Below is a ranking of the 10 most expensive states in Nigeria as of January 2025:

10. Kano

Kano ranks as the tenth most expensive state in Nigeria, with an all-items inflation rate of 12.51 per cent in January 2025, a sharp decline from the previously recorded 35.81 per cent in December 2024. Food inflation in the state also fell significantly from 40.39 per cent to 12.34 per cent following the rebasing. The drastic reduction in these figures reflects the NBS’s adjustment in the CPI methodology, which now incorporates a broader and more representative consumption basket. Despite the changes, Kano remains one of the priciest states, with food prices and general living expenses still exerting pressure on household incomes.

9. Borno

Borno is the ninth most expensive state, with an all-items inflation rate of 12.52 per cent in January 2025, down from 32.05 per cent recorded in December 2024. Food inflation experienced an even sharper decline, dropping from 41.69 per cent to 10.49 per cent within the same period. However, persistent supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by security challenges in the region, continue to push up costs, keeping Borno among the most expensive states despite the methodological adjustments.

8. Zamfara

Zamfara’s all-items inflation rate fell from 39.63 per cent in December 2024 to 13.82 per cent in January 2025, while food inflation dropped from 46.39 per cent to 11.81 per cent. The state has historically recorded high inflation figures due to logistical challenges affecting the distribution of goods, particularly food items. Food remains a major cost driver in the state, and despite the lower reported inflation, affordability remains a key concern for residents.

7. Rivers

Rivers State remains one of the costliest states in Nigeria, with an all-items inflation rate of 13.84 per cent in January 2025, a decline from 33.32 per cent in December 2024. Food inflation also dropped from 35.43 per cent to 12.27 per cent over the same period. As a major oil-producing state, Rivers experiences higher living costs, particularly in services and housing. The cost of essential services, particularly accommodation and transport, remains a significant burden on residents.

6. Enugu

Enugu ranks sixth among Nigeria’s most expensive states, with an all-items inflation rate of 14.69 per cent in January 2025, compared to 34.68 per cent in December 2024. Food inflation also saw a considerable decline, dropping from 43.15 per cent to 14.40 per cent. Enugu’s cost of living is primarily driven by rising food prices and increasing housing costs, which remain elevated despite the rebasing.

5. Kaduna

Kaduna’s inflation rate for all items stood at 14.82 per cent in January 2025, a decline from 36.44 per cent in December 2024. Food inflation followed a similar trend, falling from 42.21 per cent to 13.83 per cent. The rebasing exercise significantly impacted Kaduna’s reported figures, aligning them more closely with current consumption trends. However, essential goods and services continue to see price increases, making the state one of the most expensive places to live despite the lower official inflation numbers.

4. Abia

Abia recorded an all-items inflation rate of 15.38 per cent in January 2025, down from 36.18 per cent in December 2024. Food inflation in the state also saw a substantial drop, falling from 42.79 per cent to 15.21 per cent. The state’s cost of living has remained high due to persistent increases in the prices of essential goods and services.

3. Katsina

Katsina ranks third on the list, with an all-items inflation rate of 15.99 per cent in January 2025, down from 28.33 per cent in December 2024. Food inflation dropped from 37.12 per cent to 13.61 per cent following the rebasing. The state saw one of the largest declines in reported inflation due to the new weighting structure. However, the cost of food remains a major concern, with price pressures persisting despite the lower headline inflation figures.

2. Ebonyi

Ebonyi remains one of Nigeria’s most expensive states, with an all-items inflation rate of 16.13 per cent in January 2025, compared to 34.90 per cent in December 2024. Food inflation, which was previously at 42.79 per cent, declined to 16.88 per cent. The state’s high food prices and increasing cost of essential services contribute to its elevated position on the list. While the rebasing exercise adjusted the inflation metrics, the underlying price trends indicate that Ebonyi remains an expensive place to live.

1. Imo

Imo is the most expensive state to live in Nigeria as of January 2025, with an all-items inflation rate of 17.77 per cent, a decline from 29.99 per cent recorded in December 2024. Food inflation also dropped from 36.33 per cent to 16.80 per cent following the rebasing. The high cost of living in Imo is driven by persistent increases in food prices and essential commodities.

Source: https://nairametrics.com/2025/02/18/top-10-most-expensive-states-to-live-in-nigeria-in-january-2025/

Nice attempt at manipulating figures again to confuse yourselves and sell a narrative that 4 south east states are expensive to live in. But in reality, you guys are wrong in the above statistics.

In the end, we will all wander into the forest of comparing who is worse hit while hunger continues to reset the brains of all Nigerians wherever they are. Some may be feeling happier to think that their state is less expensive, but the reality on the ground is that hunger is still tormenting every Nigerian, no matter their location.

The federal government has failed as we all knew they will fail.

A great lie, come ro Cross River State

Op, everywhere in this country is expensive to live in right now. Even down to the villages. Farmers are ripping us off

For Lagos e be like say you never go price how much be soap to bath then later use omo bath, cook soup no fish na crayfish you manage put inside, trekking from mile 12 to computer village...

suckmedownthere:
For Lagos e be like say you never go price how much be soap to bath then later use omo bath, cook soup no fish na crayfish you manage put inside, trekking from mile 12 to computer village...

Cost of living is cheaper in Lagos state compared to Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu.

suckmedownthere:
For Lagos e be like say you never go price how much be soap to bath then later use omo bath, cook soup no fish na crayfish you manage put inside, trekking from mile 12 to computer village...

Lagos is super cheap compared to IMO... Trust me Lagos is very very affordable

Rent is relatively cheap outside the island
Transportation is cheap
Food is way cheaper in Lagos

Where you wan come put Lagos and Abuja?

mrvitalis:
Lagos is super cheap compared to IMO... Trust me Lagos is very very affordable

Rent is relatively cheap outside the island
Transportation is cheap
Food is way cheaper in Lagos

Cost of living in Benin akure cost pass island in Lagos
Na only house rent Lagos use cost pass many states in Nigeria
I spent over 5 years in Lagos island
Just 1 week in Benin city.im already complaining
Yoruba land apart from ondo ekiti is cheap due to presence of many industries and farming

As them say na states maybe na why abuja nor join

happney65:
Where you wan come put Lagos and Abuja?

Infinite costly
Op smoke ibo

hmmm

Imo most expensive to live in is a self-inflicted injury.

Before return to democracy in 1999, politicians of Owerri cornered 100% of federal and state government institutions and parastatals and located all in Owerri area.
Rest of Imo state have to drift to Owerri for settlement.

Even till today, Owerri refused to stop cornering for location in Owerri any federal government development institution. The latest is a Federal university teaching hospital imposed upon Federal Medical Centre in Owerri, whereas there are too many locations in Imo state outside Owerri for the hospital. Excessive Greed of local rent collectors and native land owners.
We have FUTO in Owerri, ALvan Ikoku Federal university, Owerri, Federal Polytechnic Owerri, Federal College of Lands Owerri, Imo state university Owerri, all federal housing estates to Imo state located in Owerri, all state and federal ministries and paratarals are housed in Owerri. Nothing, absolutely nothing left for any other place in Imo state to develop with.

Paraman:
Cost of living is cheaper in Lagos state compared to Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu.

Proof?

NewDigitalWorld:
Source: https://nairametrics.com/2025/02/18/top-10-most-expensive-states-to-live-in-nigeria-in-january-2025/

If this is true it means Imo state will have the highest number of hook up gals in the country

mrvitalis:
Lagos is super cheap compared to IMO... Trust me Lagos is very very affordable

Rent is relatively cheap outside the island
Transportation is cheap
Food is way cheaper in Lagos

How much is rent in Imo on an average?

Who put up this survey,where did you keep Edo state

Everywhere is expensive as it is now...

Ebonyi State 2nd most expensive state to live in Nigeria is well deserved.

The major issue of Ebonyi state is transportation and housing.

Ebonyi State's transportation: the lack of commercial intra-state bus makes the capital Abakaliki to become very expensive to move around within.

Relying on bikes for movement within Abakaliki can see you pay 2,000 naira for a distance that would cost you 600 naira in Enugu just because Enugu uses bus mode of transport.

Introducing buses within Abakaliki is the solution, Govt can subsidise the operation of the buses if they're not churning enough money due to scarcity of human population in the Abakaliki town.

The Governor has hinted about introducing taxi in the capital, but I'm worried about the maximum capacity of cab being the same as keke.

A bus would be cheaper than taxi because bus lofts more people, about 9, can share the burden of transportation, compared to taxi which is maximum 6 if they were to be 4 in the back and 3 in the front including the driver.


As for the housing, agents and lawyers are the major problem. An ugly self con in the capital is about 400k to 450k, then 300 for renewal. While self con with neat tiles and POP can cost 600 to 1.2million naira, for a state of mostly civil servants and petty traders.

Ebonyi state government should hurriedly introduce their taxi system and build more housing systems hurriedly.

But there is a reason South East tops the chart; the over taxation of food items by police men from Lagos to South East is a major factor, added with bad road from Lagos to East.

Middle Belt is also far from Lagos port but they have it easier because the route from lagos to middle belt states like Kogi, Abuja et cetera is not plagued with security agencies collecting bribes compared to South East.

Is this supposed to be award or failure of those state? A good state is a state where prices of things are affordable.

Nigeria as a whole is a failed state

suckmedownthere:
For Lagos e be like say you never go price how much be soap to bath then later use omo bath, cook soup no fish na crayfish you manage put inside, trekking from mile 12 to computer village...

I'm in Akure. I can tell you for real. Lagos is cheaper

Just dey play e be like say you never jam expensive

Imo state (Owerri) populace are mostly civil servants, students. The only company you that's situated there when i was there is just Rapido Food LTD in Owerri and Consolidatary PLC in Awo. There's almost zero presence of industry there and i think it's the reason for it being expensive and night life sells in Owerri and believe me Imo state is very expensive.

Rivers state (Porrthacourt), deserves to be in that list (nobody go tell you how expensive dat city dey if you spend one month there).


Enugu is quite expensive especially its metropolis but food stuffs are cheaper around the local government that shares boundary with Benue state and I don't think Ebonyi should be in the top ten in most expensive states in Nigeria.

Edo (Benin city) is very expensive but if you live in northern Edo (Auchi) things are quiet cheaper there.



What I don't understand about this list is, why is Delta state (Asaba) not there. Asaba is one of if not the most expensive city in Nigeria.

For me, I think Oyo state (Ibadan) is the cheapest in southern Nigeria.

Food, rent, transportation is my yard stick.

It has to be Abuja... The End.


Before you finish pricing, someone one else would come and pay for it.

Scientifically, Lagos is costly cheap.

obinna58:
Infinite costly
Op smoke ibo

Person wey don craze

Where is delta?

The Yoruba propaganda machine is in full swing. The are here to bash other regions.

One day their hold on power will end and whichever region gets it, they also will set up their own propaganda machinery.

PresidObi:
Nice attempt at manipulating figures again to confuse yourselves and sell a narrative that 4 south east states are expensive to live in. But in reality, you guys are wrong in the above statistics.

In the end, we will all wander into the forest of comparing who is worse hit while hunger continues to reset the brains of all Nigerians wherever they are. Some may be feeling happier to think that their state is less expensive, but the reality on the ground is that hunger is still tormenting every Nigerian, no matter their location.

The federal government has failed as we all knew they will fail.

But you guys always say that things are more expensive in SE. Don't you?