16, April 2026
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 15.38% in March 2026, reflecting a modest rise from the 15.06% recorded in February.
These records were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 135.4 points in March 2026, indicating a 5.4-point increase from the preceding month (130.0).
*Inflation Breakdown:*
– On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate stood at 15.38% in March 2026, up from 27.35% in March 2025.
– On a month-on-month basis, the inflation rate was 4.18% in March 2026, representing a 2.17% increase from February 2026 (2.01%).
– The average annual inflation rate for the twelve months ending March 2026 was 20.05%, up from 18.58% in March 2025.
*Urban and Rural Inflation:*
– Urban inflation rate: 14.64% (year-on-year), 3.16% (month-on-month)
– Rural inflation rate: 17.22% (year-on-year), 6.73% (month-on-month)
*Food Inflation:*
– Food inflation rate: 14.31% (year-on-year), 4.17% (month-on-month)
– Decrease attributed to lower price changes in yam, ginger, cassava, groundnuts, Irish potatoes, and other food items.
*Core Inflation (ex-food and energy):*
– 16.21% (year-on-year), 4.03% (month-on-month)
*State-Level Inflation (March 2026):*
State Headline Inflation (YoY) Food Inflation (YoY)
Bayelsa 27.37% 33.35%
| Sokoto | 26.03% | 28.02% |
| Bauchi | 23.67% | – |
| Osun | 5.25% | – |
| Kano | 9.85% | 4.29% |
| Kaduna | 10.38% | – |
*Month-on-Month Changes:*
– Highest increases: Zamfara (10.77%), Bauchi (9.37%), Sokoto (9.05%)
– Lowest increases: Lagos (1.54%), Akwa Ibom (1.80%), Rivers (1.89%)
