The average cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria increased to N1,589 per adult per day in April 2026, representing a 3.12 per cent rise from N1,541 recorded in March, according to the latest Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD)report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report also showed that the cost was 4.74 per cent higher than the N1,518 recorded in April 2025, underscoring sustained increases in food prices across most food groups.
According to the NBS, the month-on-month increase was driven by higher prices in nearly all food categories, with starchy staples being the only major group to record a decline.
The report revealed wide disparities in the cost of a healthy diet across states, with Ekiti, Imo and Bayelsa recording the highest daily costs, while Adamawa, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Akwa Ibom posted the lowest.
“Ekiti recorded the highest average daily healthy diet cost at N2,036, followed by Imo (N2,018) and Bayelsa (N1,909). Adamawa had the lowest cost at N1,143, ahead of the FCT (N1,278) and Akwa Ibom (N1,314),” the report stated.
At the regional level, the South-East recorded the highest average daily cost of a healthy diet at N1,830, followed by the South-West at N1,753, while the North-East recorded the lowest average cost at N1,415.
The NBS further noted that animal source foods remained the most expensive component of a healthy diet.
“Animal source foods remained the most expensive component of a healthy diet, accounting for 40 per cent of the total cost while providing only 13 per cent of total calorie requirements. Fruits and vegetables accounted for 16 per cent and 14 per cent of the total cost respectively, despite contributing just 7 per cent and 5 per cent of total calories.”
The report added that although prices of starchy staples as well as oils and fats declined over the past year, increases across all other food groups continued to drive up the overall cost of maintaining a healthy diet.
Providing further insight into food affordability across the country, the NBS identified the least expensive food items commonly selected in different regions.
According to the report, “Beans White was identified as the least expensive item in the Legumes, Nuts and Seeds food group in 65 per cent of state sectors, while Palm Oil was the cheapest item in the Oils and Fats category in 62 per centof state sectors.”
It added that “Garri White and Maize (White) Grains were the most affordable starchy staples, each accounting for 32 per cent of the least-cost selections across states.”
The NBS explained that while some food items consistently emerged as the cheapest options across different regions, price variations across states meant the overall cost of maintaining a healthy diet differed significantly from one location to another.
The bureau noted that the Cost of a Healthy Diet measures the minimum amount required to meet recommended daily nutritional needs using locally available foods.
According to the report, “The indicator tracks the least-cost combination of foods that satisfies energy and nutrient requirements for a healthy diet.”
It added that the index serves as a key benchmark for assessing food affordability and monitoring the impact of food price movements on household welfare.
The NBS further stated that rising CoHD figures indicate increasing pressure on household food budgets and highlight the growing challenge of accessing nutritious meals, particularly for low-income households.
Boluwatife Enome
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