Economy
NBS: Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Dropped To 22.97% As At May
NBS: Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Dropped To 22.97% As At May
NBS: Nigeria’s inflation rate dropped to 22.97% as at May. The report said in May, the rural inflation rate was 22.70 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased further to 22.97 per cent in May 2025.
The NBS disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for May 2025, which was released in Abuja on Monday.
According to the report, the headline inflation showed a decrease of 0.74 per cent compared to the 23.71 per cent recorded in April 2025.
Furthermore, the report said on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in May 2025 was 1.53 per cent, which was 0.33 per cent lower than the rate recorded in April 2025 at 1.86 per cent.
The report said the increase in the headline index for May 2025 was attributed to the increase in some items in the basket of goods and services at the divisional level.
It said the three major contributors to the headline inflation were food and non-alcoholic beverages at 9.20 per cent, restaurants and accommodation services at 2.97 per cent, and Transport at 2.45 per cent.
The report showed the least contributors were recreation, sports, and culture at 0.07 per cent, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics at 0.09 per cent, and insurance and financial services at 0.11 per cent.
The report said the food inflation rate in May 2025 was 21.14 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in May was 2.19 per cent, which increased by 0.13 per cent compared to the 2.06 per cent recorded in April 2025.
The NBS said the increase in food inflation was attributed to the reduction in average prices of items such as yam, avenger (Ogbono/Apon), cassava tuber, maize flour, fresh pepper, sweet potatoes, etc.
The report said that “all items less farm produce and energy’’ or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy, stood at 22.28 per cent in May 2025 on a year-on-year basis.
“On a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 1.10 per cent in May, which decreased by 0.24 percentage points compared to the 1.34 per cent recorded in April 2025 .”
The NBS said for the newly introduced sub-indices, on a month-on-month basis, farm produce and goods stood at 22.38 per cent and 9.39 per cent compared to April 2025, which were 0.95 per cent and 1.89 per cent, respectively.
“Conversely, Services and Energy stood at 1.79 per cent and -0.43 per cent compared to 2.20 per cent and 13.6 per cent recorded in April, respectively. The report said that on a year-on-year basis in May 2025, the urban inflation rate was 23.14 per cent.
“On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 1.40 in May 2025, which increased by 0.22 per cent compared to April at 1.18 per cent.” The report said in May, the rural inflation rate was 22.70 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
“On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate was 1.83 per cent in May, which decreased by 1.72 per cent compared to April at 3.56 per cent.”
On states’ profile analysis, the report showed that in May, all items index inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Borno at 38.93 per cent, followed by Niger at 34.97 per cent and Plateau at 32.35 per cent.
It said the slowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis was recorded in Katsina at 16.25 per cent, followed by Adamawa at 18.20 per cent, and Delta at 18.41 per cent.
The report, however, said in May 2025, inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Bayelsa 9.11 per cent, followed by Bauchi at 4.85 per cent, and Borno at 4.42 per cent.
“Kaduna at -6.75 per cent, followed by Jigawa at -4.40 per cent and Edo at -2.94 per cent recorded the slowest rise in month-on-month inflation.”
The report said on a year-on-year basis, food inflation was highest in Borno at 64.34 per cent, followed by Bayelsa at 39.85 per cent, and Taraba at 38.58 per cent.
“Katsina at 6.90 per cent, followed by Rivers at 9.18 per cent and Kwara at 11.31 per cent recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.’’

Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Dropped
The report, however, said on a month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Bayelsa at 12.68 per cent, followed by Cross River at 11.15 per cent, and Anambra at 9.10 per cent.
“Katsina at -5.42 per cent, followed by Jigawa at -4.02 per cent and Kaduna -3.27per cent, recorded the slowest rise in inflation on a month-on-month basis.”
The NBS said based on the recent rebasing of the CPI, hence, the CPI rose to 121.35 in May 2025, which reflected a 1.83-point increase from April 2025.
NBS recently rebased the CPI, bringing the base year closer to the current period, from 2009 to 2024, with 2023 as the reference period for expenditure weights.
The statistician-general of the federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, said the rebasing was designed to ensure that Nigeria’s economic indicators accurately reflect the current structure of the economy.
According to him, this is done by incorporating new and emerging sectors, updating consumption baskets, and refining data collection methods.
Economy
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC sets to run three Lagos–Ibadan train trips Monday. He assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos by NRC chief public relations officer, Callistus Unyimadu.
He said the additional trip was in response to high passenger turnout during the Eid-el-Fitr travel period.
“The extra trip is aimed at easing passenger movement and providing more travel options for commuters returning after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
“Under the schedule, departures from Lagos (Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta) will be at 7.45 a.m., 1.40 p.m., and 4.00 p.m.
“From Ibadan (Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya), trains will depart at 8.00 a.m., 10.50 a.m., and 4.30 p.m.,” he said.
Mr Unyimadu assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.

NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
He advised travellers to arrive early, comply with ticketing and security procedures, and plan their journeys.
“The corporation appreciates the continued patronage of its services and wishes all passengers a safe and pleasant journey,” he added.
Economy
UBA, BII Sign Letter Of Intent To Explore Trade Finance Collaboration Across Africa
UBA, BII Sign Letter Of Intent To Explore Trade Finance Collaboration Across Africa
United Bank for Africa (UK) Limited (“UBA UK”) and British International Investment plc (“BII”), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, announced that they have signed a letter of intent to develop trade finance collaboration opportunities.
The proposed initiative aims to expand access to trade and working capital facilities for businesses operating across Africa.
Access to trade finance remains one of the most significant structural constraints on African trade. Businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are frequently unable to secure letters of credit, guarantees, and supply chain finance on commercially viable terms, limiting their capacity to export and import competitively. This trade finance gap is estimated by the African Development Bank to be over USD 80 billion annually.
To help close this gap, UBA UK, the London subsidiary of UBA Group, Africa’s Global Bank, will leverage its deep relationships across the Group’s 20-country African network to originate and structure trade finance transactions. While BII, with a mandate to support productive, sustainable, and inclusive growth across Africa, can support transactions that might otherwise fall outside conventional commercial appetite.
“The signing of this letter with BII represents a landmark moment for UBA UK and for the UBA Group’s global ambitions. As the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, UBA UK is uniquely positioned to connect African businesses with the international financial system. Working alongside BII, we can extend that capability further — mobilising capital where it matters most and helping to close the trade finance gap that holds back so much African potential,” said Lok Mishra, Chief Executive Officer, UBA UK
“British International Investment is committed to catalysing private sector growth across Africa, and trade finance is a critical enabler of that growth. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with UBA Group, whose pan-African network and deep institutional relationships can help advance our ambition to expand access to trade and working capital finance, particularly in frontier markets,” Chris Chijiuitomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa
The announcement builds on growing momentum around intra-African trade facilitated by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which entered into force in 2021 and represents one of the world’s most significant trade integration initiatives. Both institutions have identified the operationalisation of AfCFTA as a priority catalyst for a trade finance facility, with UBA UK’s network across major AfCFTA economies offering a basis for supporting businesses navigating the emerging continental market.
This also complements the UK Government’s broader engagement with African economic development, including commitments made at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, and reinforces the City of London’s role as a leading international finance centre for Africa-focused capital mobilisation.
Future cooperation remains subject to further assessment, due diligence and the completion of internal approvals by both parties.
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UK) LIMITED
UBA UK is the London-based subsidiary of United Bank for Africa Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions with operations across 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates. UBA UK serves as the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, providing a comprehensive suite of trade finance, treasury, and correspondent banking services to institutional and corporate clients worldwide.

UBA
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA GROUP
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.
ABOUT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. The organisation invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people’s lives and help protect the planet. BII’s work targets the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis, helping countries break free from aid dependency for good.
Between 2022-2026, at least 30 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which has raised over $33.6 billion to empower women’s economic development.
The company has investments in over 1,600 businesses across 66 countries and total net assets of £9.87 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X.
Economy
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu Felicitates Muslims, Urges Renewed Unity, Patriotism
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu Felicitates Muslims, Urges Renewed Unity, Patriotism
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu felicitates Muslims, urges renewed unity, patriotism. Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan.
The president urged them to renew commitment to national unity, peaceful coexistence, and service to humanity as they celebrate the festival across the country on Friday.
This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan, noting that the holy month teaches discipline, sacrifice, compassion, and devotion to God and humanity.
He said: “We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this.
“We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period.”
The president emphasised the need for Nigerians to remain united across religious and ethnic lines, stressing that national cohesion remains vital for sustainable peace and development.
He urged Muslims to extend acts of kindness and charity to the less privileged, irrespective of religious or ethnic background, in line with the enduring values of Islam.
Mr Tinubu noted that such gestures would strengthen social bonds, promote inclusiveness, and reinforce the spirit of brotherhood that defines the Nigerian society.
The president also called on religious leaders to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, stability, and economic prosperity across the country.

Tinubu
He expressed optimism that with collective efforts, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and achieve lasting progress for the benefit of all citizens.
Mr Tinubu wished Muslims a joyous celebration, praying that the blessings of Ramadan would bring renewed hope, strength, and guidance to individuals, families, and the nation.
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