Nigeria inflation drops for third month; Sokoto leads affordable states

Nigeria's headline inflation eased to 15.39% in August 2026, down from 15.43% in July, marking the third straight month of decline. Food inflation also fell to 19.57% after five consecutive months of increases, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The NBS state-level ranking shows Sokoto as the most affordable state with headline inflation of just 2.1%, a 13.29‑point gap below the national rate. Kebbi (3.7%) and Jigawa (3.8%) follow, making the North‑West zone the strongest performer. All ten states on the list recorded inflation below the national average, notably Borno with a food inflation rate of –4.0% and Kogi at 5.4%. In contrast, no state from the South‑East or South‑South regions appeared in the top ten, highlighting a regional disparity in cost‑of‑living relief.

While overall price pressures are easing, some states show divergent trends: Ekiti’s headline inflation dropped to 8.5% but food inflation surged to 28.8%, indicating non‑food drivers behind the improvement. For residents, this means relief may vary sharply by location and spending habits. Would you consider relocating to or investing in the low‑inflation Northern states, or adjust your budget and spending patterns to cope with persistent food price pressures in your area?

SOURCE: https://nairametrics.com/2026/09/16/top-10-most-affordable-states-to-live-in-august-2026/