Top 10 most expensive states to live in Nigeria in January 2026 

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased slightly to 15.10% in January 2026, down from 15.15% recorded in December 2025, as food prices posted a significant monthly decline.

According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday, the CPI fell to 127.4 in January from 131.2 in December, reflecting a 3.8-point decline.

On a year-on-year basis, headline inflation slowed by 12.51 percentage points from 27.61% in January 2025 to 15.10% in January 2026.

On a month-on-month basis, the inflation rate stood at -2.88% in January, compared to 0.54% in December, indicating that average prices declined during the month.

However, the twelve-month average inflation rate rose to 21.97% in January 2026, compared to 17.59% in January 2025, highlighting that price pressures remain elevated when assessed over a longer horizon.

Food inflation recorded one of the sharpest declines in the report. On a year-on-year basis, food inflation slowed to 8.89% in January 2026 from 29.63% in January 2025.

On a month-on-month basis, food prices dropped by -6.02% in January, compared to -0.36% in December. The bureau attributed the decline to reductions in the prices of water yam, eggs, green peas, groundnut oil, soya beans, palm oil, maize, guinea corn, beans, beef, melon and cassava.

The twelve-month average food inflation rate stood at 20.29%, significantly lower than the 38.47% recorded in January 2025.

The NBS report shows that subnational inflation pressures remain intense in January 2026, despite a month-on-month moderation across most of the high-cost states.

Below are the top 10 most expensive states to live in Nigeria in January 2026, according to the latest CPI data from the NBS: 

Niger (16.9%)

Niger posted an all-items index of 126.3 in January 2026, with a year-on-year increase of 16.9%. On a month-on-month basis, inflation slowed by 4.2% compared to December 2025, signalling some short-term easing in price pressures.

Food inflation rose 12.2% year on year, but declined 7.1% month on month. The sharper monthly decline in food prices suggests that the January inflation reading was driven more by non-food components such as transport and household services.

As a major agricultural state in North Central Nigeria, Niger benefits from crop production and proximity to Abuja. However, rising logistics costs and insecurity along major transport corridors continue to feed into broader consumer prices.

Oyo (16.9%)

Oyo recorded an all-items index of 128.0 in January 2026, with annual inflation at 16.9%, matching Niger. Month on month, prices declined 1.5%.

Food inflation increased 8.9% year on year but fell 3.1% month on month.

The slower annual growth in food relative to all-items suggests that non-food inflation, especially housing and transport in Ibadan and surrounding urban centres, played a stronger role in overall price pressures.

Anambra (17.3%)

Anambra posted an all-items index of 129.0, with year-on-year inflation of 17.3%. On a monthly basis, inflation declined marginally by 0.5%.

Food inflation rose 6.8% year on year and dropped 5.8% month on month. The relatively modest annual increase in food inflation compared to the all-items index suggests that non-food components are exerting greater pressure.

Nasarawa (17.3%)

Nasarawa recorded an all-items index of 126.4 in January 2026, with annual inflation at 17.3%. Month-on-month inflation fell sharply by 5.1%.

Food inflation rose 14.0% year on year but declined 9.1% month on month. The strong annual increase in food prices indicates that food remains a major driver of inflation in the state.

Bordering the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa is increasingly integrated into Abuja’s housing and food supply chain. Spillover demand from the FCT continues to influence local price formation.

Osun (18.1%)

Osun’s all-items index stood at 127.2 in January 2026, with a 18.1% year-on-year increase. On a monthly basis, prices declined by 1.1%.

Food inflation rose 11.0% year on year and fell 5.7% month on month. The gap between food and all-items inflation suggests that non-food categories contributed significantly to the high cost of living.

Yobe (19.1%)

Yobe recorded an all-items index of 126.8, with year-on-year inflation at 19.1%. Month on month, inflation declined 4.5%.

Food inflation increased 10.4% year on year but fell sharply by 11.9% month on month, indicating a significant easing in food prices in January.

The divergence suggests that non-food inflation is a stronger driver of overall price levels. Given Yobe’s security challenges and heavy reliance on imported goods from other regions, logistics costs remain a key factor.

Adamawa (19.2%)

Adamawa posted an all-items index of 126.6, with annual inflation at 19.2%. On a monthly basis, prices declined 2.7%.

Food inflation rose 17.3% year on year and fell 3.7% month on month. The relatively high annual food inflation indicates that food remains a primary inflation driver in the state.

Abuja (19.2%)

The Federal Capital Territory recorded an all-items index of 127.6 in January 2026, with annual inflation at 19.2%. Month-on-month inflation declined 4.5%.

Food inflation rose 11.7% year on year and fell 7.3% month on month. The data suggests that non-food inflation, including housing, services, and transport, is a major contributor to Abuja’s high cost profile.

Kogi (21%)

Kogi recorded an all-items index of 123.8, but with one of the highest annual inflation rates at 21.0%. Month-on-month inflation declined 6.0%.

Food inflation surged 19.8% year on year and fell 6.8% month on month. The close alignment between food and all-items annual inflation indicates that food is the dominant inflation driver.

Benue (22.5%)

Benue emerged as the most expensive state among the top 10, with an all-items index of 128.5 in January 2026 and the highest annual inflation rate at 22.5%. Month-on-month inflation declined 1.9%.

Food inflation rose 18.4% year on year and fell 4.7% month on month. The strong annual rise in food prices confirms that food inflation is the primary driver of overall inflation in the state.

Despite being widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket,” Benue has faced persistent farmer-herder conflicts and supply disruptions, which have constrained output and pushed prices upward.