The National Bureau of Statistics has disclosed that alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics recorded the highest inflation rate at 14.80 per cent, according to its latest rebased Consumer Price Index for January 2025.

In a graphical illustration presented in its CPI report, the NBS noted that the alcohol and tobacco item division was followed by restaurants and accommodation services, which had an inflation rate of 14.14 per cent, while transport and clothing and footwear recorded 12.77 per cent and 12.73 per cent, respectively.

The report, which rebased Nigeria’s CPI to 2024 as the new base year, revealed that headline inflation stood at 24.48 per cent in January 2025, meaning that the general price level of goods and services rose significantly compared to the same period in 2024.

The report by the NBS read, “The rebased All Items index in January 2025 was 110.68, while the headline inflation rate on a year-on-year basis stood at 24.48 per cent in January 2025.

“This means that the general prices of goods and services in Nigeria increased by 24.48 per cent compared to January 2024.”

The CPI rebasing was necessary to reflect current economic realities and consumption patterns in Nigeria.

The rebased CPI structure covers 934 product varieties, classified under 13 divisions based on the 2018 Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose.

The divisions include food and non-alcoholic beverages, clothing and footwear, transport, housing and utilities, furnishings, health, communication, and education, among others.

The weighting structure was adjusted to account for changes in consumer spending, with food and non-alcoholic beverages maintaining the highest weight at 40 per cent, although it declined from 51.8 per cent in the previous base year of 2009.

According to the report, inflationary pressures varied across different categories, with food and beverages inflation at 10.64 per cent, reflecting the continued rise in staple food prices.

The personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services division recorded 12.04 per cent inflation, while furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance saw an inflation rate of 11.48 per cent.

The health sector recorded 9.42 per cent inflation, while housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels increased by 7.61 per cent.

The education sector and insurance and financial services recorded the lowest inflation rates, standing at 4.88 per cent and 4.65 per cent, respectively. Information and communication, which was newly assigned a higher weight in the rebased CPI, had an inflation rate of 7.54 per cent.

The recreation, sport, and culture category recorded 6.85 per cent, highlighting moderate price increases in these services.

The NBS report highlighted the divergence in inflation trends between urban and rural areas, with urban inflation at 26.09 per cent, while rural inflation stood at 22.15 per cent.

This suggests that price pressures were more severe in urban areas, particularly in sectors such as housing, transportation, and restaurant services, where cost increments were more pronounced.

The rebasing exercise introduced new methodologies to enhance the accuracy of inflation tracking.

Data collection was fully digitised, replacing paper-based surveys with computer-assisted personal interviewing devices, which allowed real-time transmission and verification of price data.

The high inflation rate for alcoholic beverages and tobacco is linked to multiple factors, including excise duties, exchange rate volatility, production costs, and supply chain disruptions.

We further observed that Imo State emerged as the most expensive state to reside in Nigeria following the rebasing of the Consumer Price Index by the NBS.

The development marked a significant shift in Nigeria’s inflation rankings, as Bauchi, which held the top spot for seven consecutive months, was dethroned.

The change comes after the NBS updated its methodology, adjusting the base year from 2009 to 2024, revising the weighting structure, and expanding the consumer basket to better reflect household spending patterns.

Earlier, the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive of the NBS, Prince Semiu Adeyemi, said, “Rebasing our GDP and CPI allows us to align with these transformations, providing a more precise and relevant picture of Nigeria’s economic landscape.

“This process is foundational to informed policymaking, strategic planning, and effective governance; hence, it is one exercise that the NBS is conducting with significant importance and professionalism.”

An MTN booster station located on the premises of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, was gutted by fire on Saturday.

Our Investigations revealed that the fire, which broke out at the booster station within the Faculty of Nursing, was caused by an electrical surge.

One of the witnesses told our correspondent that “the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday around 4 am.”

Another source said, “The incident affected the Mikano electrical generator, board, and other telecommunications gadgets in the booster station.”

When contacted in Ibadan, the state capital, the Special Adviser on Fire Services Reform to Governor Seyi Makinde and Chairman of the State Fire Services Agency, Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident.

He said the booster station belonged to the MTN.

He said, “The state Fire Service’s prompt response doused the fire at the MTN booster station beside the Faculty of Nursing, University of Ibadan.

“The fire incident was reported exactly at 04:00 hrs on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

“The fire personnel, led by ACFS Olubunmi, were promptly deployed to the scene and arrived on time.

“On arrival, we met the Mikano electrical generator and board on fire. We quickly joined hands with the university’s fire marshals, and the fire was extinguished completely. The fire was caused by an electrical surge”, he explained.

We confirm an incident of in-flight theft onboard Flight P47190 on February 19, 2025. The airline reiterates its unwavering commitment to passenger safety and security and has taken decisive action in response to the situation.

During the flight, a passenger was found in possession of a missing item following a thorough search conducted upon landing at Port Harcourt International Airport (PHC). The suspect was subsequently handed over to the airport police for further investigation and necessary action.

Air Peace is deeply concerned by the rising trend of in-flight thefts observed in recent weeks. To curb this menace, the airline is implementing enhanced surveillance measures onboard its flights. Cabin crew members have been advised to heighten their vigilance throughout the journey, and in-flight announcements will be intensified to sensitize passengers on the importance of securing their belongings and reporting any suspicious activities immediately.

Furthermore, the airline is taking a firm stance against such criminal acts by recommending the blacklisting of the identified suspect, reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy for any misconduct that compromises the safety and comfort of passengers.

Air Peace remains committed to delivering a safe, secure, and world-class travel experience for all passengers. The airline urges the public to cooperate with its security protocols and report any suspicious behaviour to ensure a seamless and enjoyable journey for everyone.

SIGNED

Dr. Ejike Ndiulo

Head, Corporate Communications

Air Peace Limited