Nigeria’s Inflation Hits 15.15% in December

Nigeria’s inflation rate eased to 15.15% in December 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported on Thursday, signaling a moderation in price pressures after months of elevated costs for goods and services.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data shows that the headline inflation rate, which measures year-on-year changes in the cost of a broad basket of goods and services, fell from 17.33% in November to 15.15%. While still high, this decline represents a welcome relief for households struggling with rising living costs throughout the year.

The NBS highlighted that the inflation figures were calculated using a newly rebased CPI, with 2024 as the reference base year, aligning Nigeria’s methodology with international best practices and reducing potential distortions from single-month comparisons. According to the bureau, the CPI rose to 131.2 points in December from 130.5 in November, reflecting slower but steady growth in the general price level.

Food inflation, which accounts for the largest portion of household spending, showed the most significant relief. Prices of staple items such as tomatoes, garri, eggs, potatoes, vegetables, beans, and onions declined, bringing year-on-year food inflation down to 10.84% in December. Analysts credited the easing to improved supply conditions and stabilization in market availability after earlier disruptions in 2025.

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Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, remained elevated at 18.63%, indicating that some price pressures persist in non-food items such as services and housing. Regionally, urban areas saw inflation at around 14.85%, while rural areas experienced slightly lower increases. Certain states, including Abia, Ogun, and Katsina, reported higher price rises compared with Sokoto and Plateau, which recorded some of the lowest inflation rates in the country.

Economists note that although the headline rate’s moderation offers temporary relief for consumers, the twelve-month average inflation remains high, reflecting cumulative pressures from the past year. The trend suggests that while households may experience short-term relief, policymakers must continue to address structural factors driving costs, particularly in the energy and service sectors.

With the new year underway, Nigerians remain cautious, hoping that improved agricultural output, stable supply chains, and prudent fiscal policies will sustain the easing trend and make essential goods more affordable.