Stats show why Benue, Ekiti, Kebbi experienced highest spikes in food prices

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released its April Consumer Price Index report, revealing that Benue, Ekiti, and Kebbi states recorded the highest year-on-year food inflation rates in Nigeria.

According to the report, Benue experienced the steepest rise in food prices, with a year-on-year inflation rate of 51.76%.

This was followed by Ekiti at 34.05% and Kebbi at 33.82%. These figures indicate an increase in the cost of food items in these states over the past year.

Despite this, the national food inflation rate slightly eased to 2.06% in April from 2.18% in March 2025. The NBS attributed this modest decrease to falling prices of several key staples, including maize (corn) flour, wheat grain, dried okra, yam flour, soybeans, rice, Bambara beans, and brown beans.

On the other hand, states such as Ebonyi (7.19%), Adamawa (9.52%), and Ogun(9.91%) recorded the slowest increases in food inflation year-on-year, highlighting regional differences in how food prices are affecting Nigerians.

In the month of April, Benue, Ekiti, and Yobe saw the highest spikes in food prices. Specifically, Benue recorded a sharp 25.59% month-on-month increase, Ekiti followed with 16.73%, and Yobe with 13.92%.

The surge in Benue’s food inflation may be linked to recent violent attacks and insecurity in the North Central region, which have displaced many people and disrupted local food supply chains.

In contrast, some states recorded month-on-month declines in food inflation, including Ebonyi (-14.43%), Kano (-11.37%), and Ogun (-7.06%) suggesting some relief in food prices in these areas.

Overall, Nigeria’s headline food inflation rate stood at 21.26% year-on-year in April, while general inflation cooled slightly to 23.71% .

The data reflects ongoing challenges Nigerians face with the rising cost of living, especially in areas hit hardest by inflation and insecurity.