Struggling with the cost of living in Nigeria? You're not alone. While inflation continues to bite across the country, some states are offering a glimmer of hope with surprisingly lower living costs. But here's where it gets interesting: newly released data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for October 2025 reveals a nuanced picture.
Headline inflation, while still high at 16.05%, has actually dipped from September's 18.02%. However, month-on-month inflation ticked up to 0.93%, indicating ongoing price pressures. The real story lies in food inflation, which has plummeted to 13.12% year-on-year, a staggering 26.04 percentage point drop from October 2024. This dramatic shift is attributed to a change in the CPI base year, highlighting the complexities of economic measurement.
And this is the part most people miss: despite these national trends, significant disparities exist between states. Some remain significantly more affordable than others.
Let's dive into the Top 10 Most Affordable States to Live in Nigeria (October 2025), ranked from tenth to the most budget-friendly:
10. Kebbi – 14.6%
Kebbi secures the tenth spot with an inflation rate of 14.6%, a welcome decrease from September's 18.3%. The state's food inflation rate mirrored this trend, dropping to 9.6% in October from 13.3% the previous month.
Controversially, some argue that Kebbi's relative affordability is largely due to government interventions rather than inherent economic strengths.
Governor Nasir Idris has been proactive in addressing the cost-of-living crisis. In April, he implemented a series of palliative measures, including the distribution of subsidized food items and essential farm inputs. Notably, the state received 6,000 bags of rice from the Federal Government, sold to residents at a subsidized price of N40,000 per bag.
Furthermore, the Governor launched the N-CARES program in July 2024, distributing N4 billion worth of agricultural inputs to farmers. This initiative, along with the Kaura Agricultural Development and Growth Agenda (KADAGE), aims to boost local production and strengthen the state's food supply chain. KADAGE provides farmers with crucial resources like fertilizers, farming equipment, and solar-powered water pumps, potentially leading to increased output and enhanced food security.
While these initiatives are commendable, it's worth noting that the long-term sustainability of Kebbi's affordability remains to be seen. Reliance on government subsidies and external aid raises questions about the state's ability to maintain low living costs independently.
What do you think? Are government interventions enough to ensure long-term affordability, or do states need to focus on building stronger, self-sustaining economies?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
