Healthy Diet Costs in Nigeria Nearly Double in Under Three Years as Inflation Pressures Deepen

Household nutrition costs in Nigeria have continued on a sharp upward trajectory, with the average cost of maintaining a healthy diet rising by about 119 per cent since 2023. The escalation has been linked in part to macroeconomic pressures that followed the removal of fuel subsidy, which has amplified transport and logistics costs across the food supply chain. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics , in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition , places the average cost of a healthy diet at N1,541 per adult per day as of March 2026. The March 2026 figure reflects a continued rise from N1,498 recorded in March 2025 and N982 in March 2024, underscoring a sustained climb in food-related expenses over a three-year period. From hundreds to over a thousand naira daily Before the policy shift in 2023, the cost of a healthy diet stood significantly lower. Research tracking monthly changes shows it moved from N703 in October 2023 to N742 in November, and N786 in December of the same year, signalling an immediate upward adjustment in food costs. By February 2026, the figure had already reached N1,513 before edging up again to N1,541 in March 2026—an increase of 1.89 per cent within a single month. Taken together, the data highlights how the cost of nutritious eating has moved from the hundreds into the thousands of naira per day within a relatively short window. Regional gaps widen across the country The burden of food affordability is not evenly distributed across Nigeria. In March 2026, the South-East recorded the highest average cost of a healthy diet at N1,899 per adult daily, closely followed by the South-West at N1,801. In contrast, the North-East recorded the lowest zonal average at N1,233, reflecting significant geographic disparities in food pricing and access. At the state level, Ekiti emerged with the highest cost at N2,091, followed by Imo at N2,052 and Abia at N1,970. On the lower end, Adamawa recorded N1,004, while the Federal Capital Territory and Taraba stood at N1,113 and N1,149 respectively. What is driving the cost of a healthy diet? The report defines a healthy diet as “the least expensive combination of locally available items that meets globally consistent food-based dietary guidelines”, positioning it as a key indicator of both physical and economic access to nutrition. A breakdown of expenditure shows that animal-source foods remain the most expensive component, accounting for 39 per cent of the total cost while providing only 13 per cent of required calories. Fruits and vegetables also carry high cost burdens, contributing 16 per cent and 14 per cent respectively to the overall basket. Meanwhile, legumes, nuts, and seeds remain the most affordable category, making up just seven per cent of the total cost. Price movements within food groups further illustrate inflationary pressure: the cost of animal-source foods rose by 34.15 per cent year-on-year, while oils and fats increased by 23.51 per cent over the same period. Inflation and broader food security concerns The report stresses that the cost of a healthy diet has been rising faster than general inflation and food inflation, widening concerns about affordability for low- and middle-income households. “The CoHD has risen faster than general inflation and food inflation,” the report stated, noting that its measurement differs from the conventional food consumer price index. Beyond pricing trends, the indicator is designed to capture real access to nutrition, not just market inflation. “The CoHD provides important information about food access, a key aspect of food security,” the report noted, adding that it helps policymakers identify which food groups are driving costs and where supply-side interventions are needed. Data coverage and policy implications The methodology behind the index draws from retail food price data collected monthly across 10,534 sources in both urban and rural areas nationwide. This broad dataset is intended to reflect real market conditions across Nigeria’s diverse regions. Analysts say the rising figures point to growing pressure on household welfare, especially as wages struggle to keep pace with inflation. The data is also expected to inform social protection programmes, agricultural planning, and nutrition-focused interventions aimed at improving affordability and access to healthy diets.