The cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria climbed to N1,589 per person per day in April, underscoring the continued pressure of rising food prices on household budgets despite broader efforts to tame inflation.
According to the latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Cost of a Healthy Diet report, the average daily cost increased compared with the previous month, reflecting persistent increases in the prices of essential food items required to meet minimum nutritional needs.
The Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) measures the least expensive combination of locally available foods that provides the recommended daily intake of energy, protein, fats and essential vitamins and minerals. Unlike general food inflation indicators, the index focuses on nutritional adequacy rather than overall food consumption.
The latest figure means that a family of four would require approximately N6,356 daily, or more than N190,000 monthly, to maintain a healthy diet, highlighting the growing financial burden facing millions of Nigerian households amid elevated living costs.
The NBS noted that protein-rich foods, fruits and vegetables remained among the most significant contributors to the overall cost of a healthy diet. These food groups have continued to experience price increases driven by supply chain disruptions, transportation costs, insecurity affecting agricultural production, and seasonal fluctuations in food supply.
Food inflation has remained one of Nigeria’s most persistent economic challenges, eroding purchasing power and forcing many households to substitute nutritious foods with cheaper, less balanced alternatives. Nutrition experts warn that prolonged reductions in dietary quality could increase the risks of malnutrition, particularly among children, pregnant women and vulnerable populations.
The rising cost of nutritious food also presents broader economic implications. Higher household spending on food leaves less disposable income for healthcare, education and savings, potentially slowing consumer spending across other sectors of the economy.
Analysts say improving food affordability will require sustained investment in agricultural productivity, better rural infrastructure, enhanced security in farming communities and more efficient transportation networks to reduce post-harvest losses and distribution costs.
The April data reinforces the importance of targeted policy interventions aimed at stabilising food prices while expanding access to nutritious diets. As inflationary pressures persist, policymakers will face increasing pressure to implement measures that strengthen domestic food production and improve affordability for low- and middle-income households.
