Bauchi, Sokoto, Jigawa, 7 other states where inflation was highest in December 2024

• Nigeria’s inflation rate increased to 34.80 per cent in December 2024
• The surge was attributed to heightened demand for goods and services during the festive season
• TheRadar spotlights the ten states where core and food inflation rates were the highest in the month, including Bauchi, Sokoto, and Jigawa states

Nigeria’s inflation rate increased to 34.80 per cent in December 2024, a 0.20 per cent from the 34.60 per cent recorded in November 2024.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) noted that the increase was due to the heightened demand for goods and services during the festive season.

The December rate shows a 5.87 per cent increase on a year-on-year basis when compared with the 28.92 per cent recorded in December 2023.

Heightened inflationary pressures and economic challenges like currency depreciation, foreign exchange volatility, and high energy costs continue to drive consumer prices.

The inflation figures fluctuated many times in 2024, surpassing a 28-year high rate four times within the year.

The latest inflation rate figures highlight the rising cost of living in the country, driven by food and non-food components like energy, transport, and housing.

Data from the latest NBS inflation rate report shows the variations in the rate across states.

From Bauchi to Sokoto, TheRadar highlights the top 10 states where inflation was highest in December 2024.

10 states with the highest inflation in December 2024

1. Bauchi 

For most of 2024, Bauchi State maintained the lead as the state with the highest inflation rate.

In December, the state recorded the highest all-item inflation rate of 44.06 per cent of all the states in the country.

However, the state’s December inflation rate shows a drop from the 46.2 per cent recorded in November 2024. It was the same for food inflation, which declined to 39.37 per cent in December from 40.48 per cent in November.

The inflation in Bauchi, the highest in the country as of December 2024, was driven by non-food items like energy costs.

2. Sokoto

In December 2024, Sokoto had an all-item inflation rate of 42.43 per cent, a significant increase from 38.7 per cent recorded in November.

Similarly, food inflation in the state soared to 57.47 per cent in December from 51.3 per cent in November.

3. Kebbi

Kebbi State witnessed a slight drop in the all-time and food inflation rates in December 2024.

The inflation rate in the state declined to 41.47 per cent in December from 42.4 per cent in November. Food inflation also fell to 45.01 per cent in December from 46.29 per cent in November.

4. Zamfara

The all-item inflation increased to 39.63 per cent in December from 39.41 per cent in November in Kebbi State.

Also, food inflation increased to 46.39 per cent from 46.01 per cent.

The rate indicates food security and availability challenges as well as the rise in the cost of goods and services, which drove up non-food inflation.

5. Anambra

Anambra is the only South East state among the states with the highest food inflation in December 2024.

The state’s inflation rate declined to 39.37 per cent in December from 40.48 per cent in November, while food inflation dropped to 43.03 per cent from 45.94 per cent.

6. Jigawa

Occupying the sixth position among the states with the highest inflation in Nigeria in December 2024 is Jigawa.

The all-item inflation rate in the state increased to 38.73 per cent in December from 37.5 per cent recorded in November.

Food inflation also increased to 43.74 per cent from 42.32 per cent, indicating the impact of rising input costs on agricultural production in the state.

7. Gombe

The all-item inflation rate slightly increased to 38.32 per cent in December from 38.1 per cent in November in the North East state of Gombe.

On the other hand, food inflation in the state decreased to 45.90 per cent in December from 46.63 per cent in November.

8. Niger

In December 2024, the all-item inflation in Niger State reached 37.76 per cent, up from 35.27 per cent recorded in November.

Similarly, food inflation increased to 43.96 per cent in December from 42.25 per cent in November.

The inflationary pressures in the state were driven by logistics challenges, insecurity in most farming communities, and rising costs of energy and transportation.

9. Plateau

On the ninth spot as the state with the highest inflation in December 2024 is Plateau in North Central Nigeria.

The all-item inflation rate in the state increased to 37.19 per cent in December from 36.62 per cent in November.

Food inflation also witnessed an increase to 44.65 per cent from 43.86 per cent.

10. Oyo

Oyo State is the 10th state with the highest inflation in December 2024 and the only South Western state on the top 10 list.

The all-item inflation rate in the state stood at 36.93 per cent in December 2024, indicating a decline from 39.5 per cent in November.

Food inflation in the state also dropped to 41.01 per cent from 44.38 per cent in November.

Inflation: Nigerians to spend 54.9% income on food in next 6 months, projects CBN

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that according to a recent survey by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the escalating inflation rate in Nigeria is expected to lead households to dedicate the largest portion of their earnings to food expenses over the next six months.

The survey, conducted from July 22 to 26, 2024, reveals that the inflation rate has surged to 33.40 per cent, with food inflation exceeding 40 per cent.