Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
Nigerians are feeling the pressure of rising costs once again, as the country’s inflation rate climbed to 15-point-3-8 percent in March 2026.
The latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics show that prices of everyday goods and services continue to increase, with food, transportation, and eating out driving much of the surge.
On a month-to-month basis, inflation jumped sharply by over 4 percent in March more than double the increase recorded in February signaling a fresh wave of price hikes across the country.
Food prices, a major concern for many households, remain high, with staples like yam, cassava, tomatoes, and potatoes contributing to the rise, despite a slight drop compared to the same period last year.
The data also reveals a widening gap between urban and rural areas. While inflation in cities stood at about 14-point-6 percent, rural communities faced a steeper increase of over 17 percent, highlighting the heavier burden on those outside major towns.
At the state level, Bayelsa, Sokoto, and Bauchi recorded the highest inflation rates, while Osun, Kano, and Kaduna saw relatively slower increases.
The statistics office says the new figures follow a recent update in how inflation is calculated, now based on more current spending patterns to better reflect the realities of Nigerians.
Despite this adjustment, the rising cost of living remains a major concern, as households continue to grapple with increasing prices of essential goods and services.