Gombe and Bauchi States are leading other states from the northeast subregion in higher inflation as recorded as of November of the just ended 2024 in the last ten years.
WikkiTimes analysis of data from StatiSense shows that Gombe State with had 0.99% inflation in 2014 but reached 38.11% in 2024, thus recorded a whooping 3749.49% highest increase in inflation in a decade in the region.
Bauchi State emerged as the second leading state in the region grappling with inflationary pressures in 2024 with 46.21% inflation from 3.8% in 2014, surpassing its four other counterparts. Bauchi has recorded approximately 1116.05% increase in just ten years.
According to the data, Borno came third with 458% increase in inflation between 2014 (6.88%) and 2024 (31.54%).
The data noted that Yobe and Taraba states trailed with 8.33% and 8.19% (2014) and 40.42% and 33.93% (2024) respectively, reflecting astronomical increase of 385.2% and 314% for the states. Adamawa recorded least increase in the last ten years with 13.75% in 2014 and 32.54% in 2024, representing 137.4% rise.
From essential commodities to basic services, living costs have strained households, thereby increased poverty and creating economic uncertainties for residents.
With inflation showing no signs of abating, this trend raises questions about the state’s economic management and the long-term implications for the people.
Over the past decade, Nigeria as a whole faced a dramatic rise in inflation, with rates surging across all 36 states, according to the data.
This sharp increase highlights economic challenges, fueling concerns about the cost of living, food security, and regional development.

Economic analysts attribute this escalation to a combination of regional, national, and global factors.
Insecurity and conflict have severely disrupted agricultural activities, trade, and other key economic sectors.
Farmers face displacement and insecurity, reducing food production and creating scarcity that drives up prices.
The threat of insurgency has also weakened local productivity, with businesses and industries struggling to thrive.
This has led to over-reliance on imported goods, making the region vulnerable to inflationary pressures caused by currency fluctuations.
WikkiTimes reports that President Bola Tinubu had removed subsidy on fuel products and the Central Bank of Nigeria devalued the Naira which translated increasing transportation costs.
Experts contend that such policies have greatly affected the economy with adverse consequences.
For a predominantly agrarian region like the North-East, higher transport expenses ripple through supply chains, inflating food and commodity prices.
The region’s infrastructure deficit compounds the issue. Poor road networks, limited access to markets, and inadequate storage facilities create inefficiencies in the distribution of goods, driving up prices even further.
Additionally, climate change has disrupted farming cycles, with prolonged droughts and flooding impacting crop yields. This has intensified food scarcity, pushing inflation rates even higher.
Impact on Households
The inflation rates are eroding purchasing power and plunging many families into deeper poverty.
Basic food items like maize, rice, and millet have seen price hikes of over 100% in the past year.
Families that previously spent a quarter of their income on food now allocate more than half, leaving little for education, healthcare, and other necessities.
Residents across the states report that basic commodities such as cooking oil and sugar have become luxuries for many households.
Markets that once bustled with activity now see fewer buyers as incomes fail to keep up with rising prices.
Policy Failures
While both the federal and the state governments claimed that they have introduced palliative measures like cash transfers and food distribution to mitigate inflation’s impact, these initiatives have largely failed.
Despite receiving substantial federal allocations, many state governments in the region have failed to implement policies that address core economic challenges.
This lack of action continues to leave citizens vulnerable to economic shocks, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts at both state and federal levels.
Without swift and decisive action, the region risks entrenching poverty and stifling development for years to come, leading to the cycle of hardship for millions of Nigerians living in this already fragile region.
Economists argue that structural reforms are necessary to address the root causes of inflation rather than relying on short-term relief measures.
They suggest a multi-pronged approach to combat inflation and its effects. Strengthening security is essential to restoring farming and trade activities in the region.
Other approaches include investments in agriculture to reduce dependency on imports and effective monetary policies to stabilize the naira.
Introducing climate resilience programs, such as irrigation systems and flood defences, can mitigate the impact of erratic weather patterns on farming communities.