Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 15.93 percent in May 2026, extending its upward trend for the third consecutive month, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report showed that headline inflation increased from 15.69 percent in April to 15.93 percent in May, although it remained significantly below the 26.06 percent recorded in May 2025.

On a monthly basis, inflation stood at 1.75 percent, lower than April’s 2.13 percent, indicating that while prices continued to rise, the pace of increase slowed compared to the previous month.

Food inflation also edged higher year-on-year, rising to 16.96 percent in May from 16.68 percent in April. However, the figure remained below the 24.55 percent recorded during the same period last year.

The NBS attributed movements in food prices to changes in the cost of staple commodities, including onions, maize, tomatoes, pepper, cassava products, yam, plantain, ginger, cowpea, crayfish and other essential food items.

State-by-state data revealed notable differences in food inflation levels. Adamawa, Kwara and Rivers recorded the highest year-on-year food inflation rates, while Borno, Taraba and Bayelsa posted the slowest increases.

For month-on-month food inflation, Bauchi, Ogun and Jigawa experienced the sharpest rises, whereas Niger, Katsina and Gombe recorded the lowest changes in food prices.

Despite the moderation in monthly inflation growth, the latest figures suggest that inflationary pressures, particularly from food prices, remain a key concern for households and businesses across the country.