Nigeria: cost of living

What is Nigeria's food inflation rate?

Nigeria's food inflation rate was 19.57% year on year in August 2026, down from 25.30% in August 2025, according to the NBS Consumer Price Index report, released on 15 September 2026. Headline inflation was 15.39%.

Food inflation measures the change in the food and non-alcoholic beverages part of the CPI, which is the largest group in the basket. It varies by state: Adamawa recorded the highest food inflation in August 2026, at 38.85%. The CPI has been calculated on a 2024=100 base since 2025, so rates from before the rebasing are not directly comparable.

Official sources: NBS: Consumer Price Index, August 2026

How much is petrol in Nigeria?

The average retail price of petrol (premium motor spirit) in Nigeria was ₦1,596.25 a litre in May 2026, according to the NBS PMS Price Watch. That was 4.13% higher than in April 2026 (₦1,532.93) and 55.31% higher than in May 2025 (₦1,027.76).

The NBS figure is an average of prices paid by consumers across all states, so pump prices at individual stations differ. Petrol prices have been set by the market since subsidies were removed in 2023, and they move with crude oil prices, the exchange rate and supply from local refineries.

Official sources: NBS: Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch, May 2026

How much does a healthy diet cost in Nigeria?

A healthy diet cost an average of ₦1,589 per adult per day in Nigeria in April 2026, up 3.12% from ₦1,541 in March, according to the NBS Cost of a Healthy Diet report. The South-East was the most expensive zone at ₦1,830. Ekiti (₦2,036) and Imo (₦2,018) were the most expensive states, and Adamawa (₦1,143) the cheapest.

The measure prices the cheapest combination of locally available foods that meets dietary guidelines for one adult. It is not what households actually spend. Multiplying by household size and by 30 days gives a rough monthly cost for a family.

Official sources: NBS: Cost of a Healthy Diet, April 2026

How much do tomatoes and beans cost in Nigeria?

A kilogram of tomatoes cost an average of ₦1,560.56 in Nigeria in May 2026, 12.05% more than a year earlier and 32.48% more than in April, according to the NBS Selected Food Prices Watch. A kilogram of brown beans cost ₦1,344.93, 43.61% less than a year earlier.

The NBS collects prices for a fixed list of foods in every state and publishes national and state averages. Fresh produce such as tomatoes follows the harvest season, so month-to-month swings are large. Year-on-year comparisons are a better guide to the trend.

Official sources: NBS: Selected Food Prices Watch, May 2026

Which Nigerian state has the highest inflation?

Lagos had the highest headline inflation rate of any Nigerian state in August 2026, at 23.68% year on year, according to the NBS Consumer Price Index report. Adamawa had the highest food inflation, at 38.85%. National headline inflation was 15.39%; urban inflation was 15.88% and rural inflation 14.23%.

State rates are calculated from prices collected in each state and are more volatile than the national rate because they rely on smaller samples. The full table of all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory is in the CPI report.

Official sources: NBS: Consumer Price Index, August 2026

What is Nigeria's inflation rate?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Nigeria at 23.0% in 2025. The peak was 33.2% in 2024 and the low 5.4% in 2007. It is 3rd highest of 39 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 3.4%. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 6th highest.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Nigeria?

In 2022, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Nigeria was 41.8%, according to the World Bank. It was 37.4% in 2012. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 41.8%; Nigeria is 4th highest of 7. Worldwide: 4th of 72.

What share of Nigeria lives below the poverty line?

56.2%: that is the share of people below the national poverty line in Nigeria for 2022, according to the World Bank. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 53.0%, and Nigeria placed 3rd highest of 8. Of 52 countries with 2022 data, 3rd highest.

What is income inequality in Nigeria?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2022, is 33.9. That compares with 35.5 in 2012. It is 7th highest of 7 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 38.5. Worldwide: 36th of 72.

What is food insecurity in Nigeria?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in Nigeria at 76.5% in 2024. No year since 2015 has been higher. It is 6th highest of 34 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 60.5%. World rank, highest first: 8th of 135.