Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 15.69 per cent in April 2026, up from 15.38 per cent recorded in March, reflecting a 0.31 percentage point increase, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to the data released on Friday, Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 138.3 in April, marking a 2.9-point increase from 135.4 in March. The NBS said the increase followed the agency’s recent rebasing to a 2024 base year with 2023 as the weight reference period.

Despite the uptick in the annual rate, the bureau stated that the pace of price increases slowed, with month-on-month inflation easing to 2.13 per cent in April from 4.18 per cent in March.

The NBS data also shows a sharp moderation when compared with April 2025, when headline inflation was significantly higher at 26.82 per cent.

“The National Bureau of Statistics is pleased to announce the release of the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for April 2026. Following the completion of the recent rebasing exercise, this report is centred on a new CPI base year of 2024 and a weight reference period of 2023. Hence, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased to 138.3 in April 2026, and reflects a 2.9-point increase from the preceding month.

“On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate for April 2026 stood at 15.69%, when compared to 15.38% and 26.82% recorded in March 2026 and April 2025; respectively. The month-on-month headline inflation rate in April 2026 was 2.13%, which was 2.05% lower than the rate recorded in March 2026 (4.18%),” the NBS stated.

At the divisional level, price pressures were driven mainly by Food and non-alcoholic beverages, restaurants and accommodation services, and transport, while recreation, alcohol and tobacco, and insurance recorded minimal impact.

“The three major contributors to the headline inflation were Food and non-alcoholic Beverages: 6.40%, Restaurants & Accommodation Services: 3.56%, and Transport: 1.70%; while the least contributors were Recreation, Sport, and Culture: 0.01%, Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, and Narcotics: 0.01%, and Insurance and Financial Services: 0.03%,” the bureau added.

It also said food inflation stood at 16.06 per cent year-on-year in April, lower than 24.68 per cent recorded in the same period last year, while the monthly rate slowed to 3.63 per cent from 4.17 per cent in March, reflecting softer increases across key staples.

The statistics bureau further said core inflation, which excludes volatile agricultural produce and energy, came in at 15.86 per cent year-on-year, with the monthly rate dropping sharply to 1.03 per cent from 4.03 per cent in March.

Across locations, it noted that urban inflation stood at 15.40 per cent year-on-year, while rural inflation was higher at 16.36 per cent, with both segments recording slower monthly increases compared to March.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the start of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination process for change of institution and course for candidates.

The board made this known in a notice released on Friday by its spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, on X.

“Candidates wishing to change their institution or programme of choice may now proceed to do so visiting any of the Board’s approved CBT. Applicants are advised to visit any accredited CBT centre to effect the changes,” the statement read.

JAMB also said the printing of the original 2026 UTME result slip will begin on Monday, May 18, 2026.

It advised candidates to visit accredited CBT centres to print their result slips and access other related services.

The development comes weeks after the board announced the release of the 2026 UTME results, while the printing of official result slips was delayed, with candidates initially only able to check their scores via SMS.

Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that he nearly lost his position during the political crisis that affected the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2025.

Gbajabiamila made the disclosure in a video currently circulating on social media.

He said the issue came up during the period former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was removed from office, leading to tension within the Assembly.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu invited him to his residence in Abuja at the peak of the crisis and questioned him over reports allegedly linking actor-turned-lawmaker Desmond Elliot to moves aimed at causing trouble in the Lagos Assembly.

Gbajabiamila explained that the President allegedly informed him that intelligence reports had connected Elliot to the political problems in the Assembly.

He said he immediately defended the lawmaker and denied claims that Elliot was involved in the situation.

The Chief of Staff said Tinubu insisted the reports he received pointed to Elliot’s involvement and instructed him to speak with the Surulere lawmaker and advise him to withdraw from anything connected to the crisis if he was truly involved.

Gbajabiamila stated that after the meeting, he contacted Elliot and informed him about the concerns raised by the President.

He said he warned the lawmaker to stay away from the crisis if he had any connection to it.

He also disclosed that a few days later, the Director-General of the Department of State Services contacted him over allegations that both he and Elliot were being mentioned in connection with the Assembly crisis.

According to Gbajabiamila, the allegations suggested he was backing Elliot in the matter. He said the situation became serious because many people believed Elliot could not act in such a manner without his knowledge.

The Chief of Staff added that he again contacted Elliot and advised him to publicly clear his name from the allegations. However, he claimed the lawmaker did not release any statement regarding the issue.

The political crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly began on January 13, 2025, after lawmakers impeached Obasa while he was reportedly outside the country.

The lawmakers accused the former Speaker of misconduct, abuse of office, poor leadership style, lateness to legislative sessions, and alleged financial mismanagement.

Following his removal, Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda was elected to lead the Assembly, becoming the first woman to occupy the position.

Obasa rejected the impeachment and maintained that proper procedures were not followed. The development later led to legal battles, leadership disputes, and intervention from leaders of the All Progressives Congress.

The crisis was eventually resolved after Meranda stepped down from the position, allowing Obasa to return as Speaker.