…Despite moderating annual inflation, the cost of maintaining a nutritious diet continues to rise, placing fresh pressure on household budgets across Nigeria.
Key Points
- Nigeria’s daily Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) rose to N1,589 per adult in April 2026.
- The figure represents a 3.12% increase from N1,541 recorded in March 2026.
- On a year-on-year basis, the cost increased by 4.74% from N1,518 in April 2025.
- Animal-source foods remained the most expensive component of a healthy diet, accounting for 40% of total daily food costs.
- Ekiti State recorded the highest daily healthy diet cost at N2,036, while Adamawa State recorded the lowest at N1,143.
- The South-East posted the highest regional average daily healthy diet cost at N1,830, while the North-East recorded the lowest at N1,415.
- Rising food costs persist despite easing annual food inflation and slower monthly inflation growth.
Main Story
Nigerians are spending more to maintain a healthy diet, with the minimum daily cost of meeting an adult’s nutritional requirements rising to N1,589 in April 2026, according to the latest Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report showed that the daily cost increased by 3.12 per cent from N1,541 recorded in March and by 4.74 per cent from N1,518 in April 2025, highlighting the continued pressure on household purchasing power despite signs that overall inflation is beginning to moderate.
According to the bureau, the increase was driven by rising prices across nearly all food groups, with starchy staples emerging as the only category to record a decline during the month.
The development comes as Nigeria closed the second quarter with three consecutive months of rising headline inflation. The NBS Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed that headline inflation increased from 15.69 per cent in April to 15.93 per cent in May, although the monthly inflation rate slowed to 1.75 per cent from 2.13 per cent recorded in April.
While annual food inflation eased significantly to 16.96 per cent in May compared with 24.55 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025—supported by improved exchange rate stability, easing supply constraints and favourable base effects—the slowdown has yet to translate into meaningful relief for consumers.
The report noted that monthly food inflation remained elevated at 2.98 per cent in May despite moderating from 3.63 per cent in April, indicating that food prices are still increasing, albeit at a slower pace.
Animal-source foods remained the costliest component of a healthy diet, accounting for 40 per cent of total expenditure while contributing just 13 per cent of daily calorie requirements. Fruits accounted for 16 per cent of total diet costs, while vegetables represented 14 per cent, despite contributing relatively small proportions of daily calorie intake.
Geographically, Ekiti State recorded the highest average daily cost of a healthy diet at N2,036, followed by Imo State at N2,018 and Bayelsa State at N1,909. At the opposite end, Adamawa State posted the lowest daily cost at N1,143, ahead of the Federal Capital Territory at N1,278 and Akwa Ibom State at N1,314.
On a zonal basis, the South-East recorded the highest average daily healthy diet cost at N1,830, followed by the South-West at N1,753, while the North-East remained the least expensive region with an average cost of N1,415.
The NBS also identified the country’s most cost-efficient healthy food options. White beans emerged as the least expensive choice in the legumes, nuts and seeds category across 65 per cent of state sectors, while palm oil was the cheapest option among oils and fats in 62 per cent of state sectors. White garri and white maize grains were the most commonly selected low-cost starchy staples nationwide.
The bureau added that although prices of starchy staples as well as oils and fats declined over the past year, every other food category recorded annual price increases, sustaining upward pressure on the overall cost of maintaining a healthy diet.
The Issues
The latest figures underscore the growing challenge of food affordability for millions of Nigerians as wages continue to lag behind the rising cost of living. Although inflationary pressures appear to be moderating on an annual basis, households are yet to experience corresponding reductions in food prices.
The report also highlights the high cost of protein-rich foods, which remain essential for balanced nutrition but consume the largest share of household food budgets. Persistent regional disparities in food prices further suggest uneven access to affordable nutritious meals across the country.
What’s Being Said
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
“The month-on-month increase in the Cost of a Healthy Diet was driven by price increases across most food groups, with starchy staples being the only category to record a decline.”
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
“Animal-source foods accounted for 40 per cent of the total cost of a healthy diet despite contributing only 13 per cent of daily calorie requirements.”
What’s Next
Analysts will closely monitor June inflation data to determine whether slowing monthly inflation begins to ease pressure on food prices. Policymakers are also expected to intensify efforts aimed at improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food supply chains and stabilising prices to improve access to nutritious diets.
The performance of food inflation over the coming months will remain a key indicator of the effectiveness of ongoing economic reforms and efforts to improve household welfare.
Bottom Line
Although Nigeria’s inflation rate is showing signs of moderation, the cost of maintaining a healthy diet continues to rise, leaving millions of households spending more each day to meet basic nutritional needs. Until food prices begin to ease more substantially, many Nigerians will continue to face difficult choices between affordability and adequate nutrition.
