Nigeria's daily cost of a healthy diet rises to N1,589 per adult

Nigeria's Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) increased to N1,589 per adult per day in April 2026, a 3.12 % rise from March and 4.74 % higher than a year earlier. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the upward trend reflects higher prices across most food groups except starchy staples.

At the regional level, the South‑East recorded the highest average cost at N1,830 per day, while the North‑East was the cheapest at N1,415. State‑level data showed Ekiti at N2,036, Imo at N2,018 and Bayelsa at N1,909 as the most expensive, whereas Adamawa (N1,143), the Federal Capital Territory (N1,278) and Akwa Ibom (N1,314) had the lowest costs.

Animal‑source foods accounted for 40 % of the total cost but only 13 % of calories, whereas fruits and vegetables made up 16 % and 14 % of the cost while delivering just 7 % and 5 % of calories respectively. The NBS identified beans (white) and palm oil as the least‑expensive items in the legumes and oils categories, with garri (white) and white maize being the cheapest starchy staples.

The CoHD indicator measures the minimum daily expense needed to meet internationally‑recognised dietary guidelines using locally‑available foods, and the NBS highlighted its use for tracking food‑price pressure on household welfare.