Nigeria's headline inflation rate edged higher to **15.93%** in May 2026, rising from 15.69% in April, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The CPI reading climbed to 140.7 in May, up from 138.3 in April, reflecting sustained upward pressure on consumer prices across the economy.
Both northern and southern states featured prominently among the locations with the highest year-on-year inflation, signalling broad-based price increases in goods and services nationwide.
**Yobe** recorded the highest inflation rate at **24.9%**, a sharp increase from 20.4% in April, with food inflation rising to 19.4% from 13.6% over the same period. The state government has rolled out livelihood support programmes and early salary payments to cushion the impact on residents.
**Anambra** ranked second at **23.3%**, up from 19.7% in April, though food inflation eased to 16.9% from 20.8%. The state has allocated about 79% of its N766 billion 2026 budget to capital expenditure, focusing on road infrastructure and industrial parks, while also passing a market bill designating 40 major markets as economic zones.
**Sokoto** placed third at **22.6%**, down from 25.7% in April, with food inflation falling sharply to 12.2% from 18.7%. About 72% of its N758.7 billion 2026 budget is directed at capital projects.
**Abia** recorded **22.2%**, a significant jump from 15.6% in April, although food inflation eased marginally to 17.7%. The state has deployed electric buses to reduce transport costs and is implementing a N1.016 trillion budget with 80% allocated to infrastructure and MSMEs.
**Bauchi** rounded out the top five at **22.0%**, slightly down from 22.5% in April, though food inflation rose to 25.4% from 23.7%. Its N877 billion budget allocates about 65% to capital spending.
**Delta** and **Akwa Ibom** both recorded **21.5%**. Delta's rate rose from 20.7% in April, while Akwa Ibom's climbed from 17.7%. Akwa Ibom has earmarked N31 billion for SME support and is advancing a N1.585 trillion budget with over 75% capital allocation.
**Benue** came in at **20.6%**, up sharply from 14.9% in April. The state launched a subsidised fertiliser programme at N28,000 per bag and passed a harmonisation bill to eliminate multiple taxation.
**Enugu** recorded **20.4%**, up from 17.0% in April, but food inflation eased to 27.8% from 32.7%. The state is implementing a N1.62 trillion budget and a N100 billion revolving fund for MSMEs.
**Zamfara** ranked 10th at **20.2%**, down from 22.0% in April, with food inflation also declining to 19.4%. The state government has introduced interventions to support vulnerable households amid national price pressures.
