Healthy diet now costs Nigerians more as food prices climb – NBS

Healthy diet now costs Nigerians more as food prices climb – NBS

The cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria increased further in February 2026, underscoring the continued pressure on household budgets amid rising food prices.

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the average cost of a healthy diet climbed to ₦1,513 per adult per day in February, representing a 3.76 per cent increase from the ₦1,458 recorded in January.

The report, titled Cost of a Healthy Diet, measures the least expensive combination of locally available foods that can provide the nutrients required for a healthy life.

According to the NBS, the February figure was also 12.4 per cent higher than the ₦1,346 recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, highlighting the growing cost of accessing nutritious food.

Regional analysis revealed significant disparities across the country. The South-East recorded the highest average daily cost of a healthy diet at ₦1,889, while the North-East posted the lowest at ₦1,160.

At the state level, Ekiti, Imo and Abia emerged as the most expensive states for maintaining a healthy diet. In contrast, Adamawa, Borno and Taraba recorded the lowest costs.

The NBS attributed the increase largely to higher prices of nutrient-rich food groups, particularly animal-source foods, fruits, vegetables, oils and fats.

The report comes at a time when many households are grappling with the effects of inflation and declining purchasing power. Nutrition experts have repeatedly warned that rising food costs could force families to opt for cheaper but less nutritious meals, increasing the risk of malnutrition and diet-related health problems.

The Cost of a Healthy Diet report is produced to monitor access to nutritious food and provide policymakers with data on the affordability of healthy eating across different parts of the country.

The latest figures suggest that while food availability remains a concern, affordability is becoming an increasingly significant challenge for many Nigerians seeking to maintain a balanced diet.