Niger, Kogi, Abuja Lead as Nigeria’s Headline Inflation Eases to 15.91% in June 2026
By Aboki Forex —
Nigeria’s headline inflation cooled slightly to 15.91% year-on-year in June 2026, down from 15.93% in May, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The overall price level continued to rise, however, with the CPI reaching 143.0 points in June, up 2.3 points from 140.7 recorded in May.
Annual inflation remained sharply lower than the 25.29% posted in June 2025, reflecting a broad deceleration in price growth over the past twelve months. Month-on-month headline inflation slowed to 1.66% in June from 1.75% in May, while the 12-month average inflation rate fell to 17.63%, compared with 29.82% in June 2025.
Urban and Rural Inflation Trends
Urban inflation stood at 16.08% on an annual basis, while rural inflation came in at 15.48%. On a monthly basis, however, urban price growth accelerated to 2.13% from 1.99% in May, pointing to intensifying cost pressures in Nigeria’s cities. Rural monthly inflation moved in the opposite direction, slowing sharply to 0.52% from 1.17% the previous month.
Core inflation, which strips out the effects of volatile farm produce and energy costs, stood at 15.92% year-on-year in June, a significant decline from 25.41% in June 2025. On a monthly basis, core inflation eased to 1.66% from 1.94% in May.
State-by-State Breakdown: Highest and Lowest Inflation
The latest NBS report revealed significant differences in inflation across Nigeria’s states. Top states with the highest headline inflation (year-on-year) were Niger at 42.23%, Kogi at 41.59%, and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) at 39.91%. States with the lowest headline inflation (year-on-year) were Imo at 19.47%, Ebonyi at 20.79%, and Katsina at 21.87%.
On a month-on-month basis, Niger (11.65%), Katsina (8.13%), and Kwara (7.52%) recorded the highest increases in headline inflation, while Bayelsa (-6.48%), Benue (-5.58%), and Cross River (-5.12%) posted the lowest monthly changes.
Food Inflation: Kogi Leads at 53.02%
Food prices remained elevated in several parts of the country. Top states with the highest food inflation (year-on-year) were Kogi at 53.02%, Niger at 43.83%, and Benue at 40.83%. States with the lowest food inflation (year-on-year) were Katsina at 19.15%, Rivers at 23.81%, and Imo at 24.60%.
On a month-on-month basis, Katsina (16.82%), Kebbi (9.79%), and Niger (8.96%) recorded the sharpest increases in food inflation. Meanwhile, Borno (-3.54%), Benue (-2.36%), and Bayelsa (-1.34%) recorded the slowest monthly food inflation, reflecting lower increases in food prices during the month.
For Nigerian consumers and businesses, the continued easing of headline inflation offers some relief, but the high food inflation figures in states like Kogi and Niger show that cost pressures remain uneven and severe in key areas. The naira’s stability and the broader disinflation trend will depend on sustained policy measures and supply-side improvements in the months ahead.