By DAYO ADESULU
Headline Inflation Rate Drops Nationally
Nigeria’s April 2025 inflation rate recorded a modest decline, easing to 23.71% year-on-year, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This represents a slight drop from 24.23% in March 2025, and a more pronounced reduction compared to 33.69% recorded in April 2024.
On a month-on-month basis, inflation decelerated significantly to 1.86%, down from the 3.90% registered in the previous month. This trend indicates a slowdown in the general rise in prices of goods and services nationwide.
NBS Attributes Drop in Nigeria’s April 2025 Inflation Rate to Food Price Stabilisation
According to the NBS report, “The CPI rose to 119.52 in April 2025, indicating a 2.18-point increase from March. The headline inflation showed a 0.52% decrease compared to the previous month.”
The report noted that the inflation rate deceleration is partly due to the adoption of a new base year for CPI calculation and falling prices of major food items such as maize flour, yam flour, soybeans, and rice.
Despite these improvements at the national level, inflation remains unevenly distributed across Nigeria, with ten states and the Federal Capital Territory experiencing inflation rates above 30%, revealing persistent localised economic pressure.
Urban and Rural Inflation Trends
In urban areas, inflation remained elevated at 24.29% year-on-year, while rural inflation stood at 22.83%, down from 31.64% in April 2024. The month-on-month urban inflation rate fell to 1.18%, and rural inflation dropped to 3.56%.
- Global Economy at Fragile Turning Point Amid Trade Tensions and Inflation Risks — UN Report
- https://crediblenews.com.ng/global-economy-at-fragile-turning-point-amid-trade-tensions-and-inflation-risks-un-report/
This divergence in urban and rural inflation illustrates that cost of living pressures remain high, especially in urban centres, even as rural areas benefit slightly more from the easing trend.
Top 11 States with Over 30% Inflation
A deep dive into the report shows 11 Nigerian regions (10 states and Abuja) recorded headline inflation rates exceeding 30%, significantly higher than the national average. These include:
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Enugu: Highest at 36.0% year-on-year; food inflation at 24.4%, with a 12.3% monthly increase.
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Kebbi: 35.1% overall inflation; food inflation at 33.8%, up 4.3% monthly.
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Niger: 34.8% overall; food inflation at 24.3%, with a record 14.7% monthly rise.
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Benue: 34.3% overall; food inflation a staggering 51.8%, with a 25.6% monthly spike, mainly driven by insecurity.
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Ekiti: 34.0% overall and food inflation, with monthly increases of 11.0% and 16.7%, respectively.
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Nassarawa: 33.3% overall; food inflation at 23.3%, with monthly jumps of 16.0% and 7.4%.
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Zamfara: 33.2% overall; food inflation at 24.0%, with minor monthly rises.
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Abuja (FCT): 32.9% overall, though food inflation declined slightly to 22.2%.
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Delta: 31.9% overall; food inflation at 15.9%, showing divergence between food and non-food inflation.
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Gombe: 31.0% overall; food inflation at 26.4%, with monthly hikes of 5.8%.
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Sokoto: 30.5% overall, food inflation at 25.3%, rising 13.1% month-on-month.
National Food Inflation Falls, But State Pressures Persist
The national food inflation rate dropped to 21.26% year-on-year in April 2025, a steep decline from 40.53% in April 2024. This was mainly driven by improved food supply and base year adjustments.
On a monthly basis, food inflation slowed to 2.06%, down from 2.18% in March. However, this national trend contrasts sharply with regional data from states like Benue and Sokoto, where food inflation is far above average, eroding household purchasing power.
The 12-month average food inflation rate stood at 31.43%, slightly down from 32.74% in the previous year.
Core and Energy Inflation Dynamics
Core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as energy and unprocessed food, eased to 23.39% year-on-year in April, compared to 26.84% in April 2024. Month-on-month, it fell to 1.34% from 3.73% in March.
Notably, energy prices surged by 13.6% month-on-month in April, up from 9.21% in March, contributing significantly to overall inflation.
Farm produce inflation moderated to 0.95%, while services inflation slowed to 2.20%. The goods index rose slightly by 1.89%, reflecting a modest increase in the cost of manufactured items and consumables.
Inflation Challenges Remain for Many Nigerians
While headline inflation trends suggest some national progress, the uneven inflation landscape underscores ongoing economic challenges, especially for Nigerians in high-inflation states. The persistent rise in food prices in several regions, despite national-level easing, reflects the impact of insecurity, poor logistics, and market inefficiencies.
In particular, households in states such as Benue, Kebbi, Ekiti, and Sokoto face deepening food insecurity, threatening to worsen poverty levels if unaddressed.
Conclusion
Though Nigeria’s April 2025 inflation data shows promising signs of macroeconomic stability, the disparities across states underscore the need for localized policy responses. Addressing insecurity, improving food supply chains, and investing in rural infrastructure are critical to ensuring that the benefits of easing inflation reach every Nigerian.
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