The cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria increased to an average of ₦1,589 per adult per day 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 figure represents a 3.12 per cent increase from the ₦1,541 recorded in March 2026, reflecting the continued rise in food prices across the country.
According to the NBS, the increase was driven by higher prices across almost all food groups, with the exception of starchy staples. The bureau also noted that the cost of maintaining a healthy diet rose at a faster pace than both the general inflation rate and food inflation during the period under review.
The report identified animal-source foods as the most expensive component of a healthy diet, accounting for 40 per cent of the total daily cost despite contributing only 13 per cent of the total calorie intake.
It added that fruits and vegetables remained the costliest food groups when measured by price per calorie. Fruits accounted for 16 per cent of the total cost of a healthy diet while providing just 7 per cent of total calories, while vegetables made up 14 per cent of the cost but contributed only 5 per cent of calorie intake.
On the other hand, legumes, nuts and seeds were the least expensive food group, accounting for just 7 per cent of the overall daily cost.
At the state level, Ekiti recorded the highest average daily cost of a healthy diet at ₦2,036 per adult, followed by Imo at ₦2,018 and Bayelsa at ₦1,909.
The lowest daily costs were recorded in Adamawa at ₦1,143, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at ₦1,278, and Akwa Ibom at ₦1,314.
Regional analysis showed that the South-East had the highest average cost of a healthy diet at ₦1,830 per adult per day, followed by the South-West at ₦1,753. The North-East recorded the lowest regional average at ₦1,415 per adult per day.
The NBS said the latest figures underscore the growing pressure on household food budgets as Nigerians continue to face rising food costs nationwide.
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