Healthy Diet Cost Climbs To N1,541 Daily Amid Rising Food Prices — NBS

The cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria increased again in March 2026, with the average daily amount required per adult rising to N1,541, according to new figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The latest Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) report published by the agency showed a 1.89 per cent increase compared to the N1,513 recorded in February, reflecting continued pressure on food affordability and household nutrition across the country.

The report also revealed that the cost of nutritious feeding has steadily risen over the past year. On a year-on-year basis, the figure rose by 4.38 per cent from N1,477 in March 2025 to N1,541 in March 2026.

According to the NBS, the CoHD measures the cheapest combination of locally available foods capable of meeting globally accepted standards for healthy living. The indicator is used internationally to assess access to nutritious food and monitor food security trends.

Regional analysis showed that residents in the South-east faced the highest average healthy diet costs at N1,899 per day, followed by the South-west at N1,801. The North-east recorded the lowest average at N1,233 daily.

The report identified animal-source foods as the most expensive component of a healthy diet, accounting for 39 per cent of total costs despite contributing only 13 per cent of total calorie intake.

Fruits and vegetables also ranked among the costliest food groups relative to the calories they provide, contributing 16 per cent and 14 per cent respectively to total diet costs. In comparison, legumes, nuts and seeds remained the most affordable category, accounting for only seven per cent of total expenses.

The agency noted that the rising cost of nutritious meals could have significant implications for food security, nutrition policies and social welfare programmes, particularly for vulnerable households already struggling with inflation and economic hardship.

It added that the data could assist policymakers in identifying supply challenges affecting major food groups while supporting efforts aimed at improving food production, affordability and market access nationwide.

At the state level, Ekiti State recorded the highest healthy diet cost at N2,091 per adult daily, followed by Imo State at N2,052 and Abia State at N1,970.

Meanwhile, Adamawa State posted the lowest cost at N1,004, while the Federal Capital Territory and Taraba State recorded N1,113 and N1,149 respectively.