Cost of Healthy Diet rises 3% to N1,589/day

By Elizabeth Adegbesan

The national average Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) rose by 3.12 percent month-on-month (MoM) to N1,589 per adult per day in April from N1,541 per adult per day in March 2026.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this yesterday in its CoHD Report for April 2026, noting that the increase was driven by rising prices across all food groups except starchy staples.

it stated: “The national average Cost of a Healthy Diet was N1,589 in April 2026. This shows an increase of 3.12% when compared to the amount recorded in the previous month (March 2026 was N1,541).”

The Bureau noted that the CoHD rose faster than both general inflation and food inflation during the period.

On the cost of food share groups, the Bureau said animal source foods were the most expensive food group recommendations to meet in April, accounting for 40 percent of the total CoHD while providing 13 percent of the total calories.

“Fruits and vegetables were the most expensive food groups in terms of price per calorie; they accounted for 16 percent and 14 percent, respectively, of the total CoHD while providing only 7 percent and 5 percent, respectively, of the total calories in the Healthy Diet Basket.

“Legumes, Nuts, and Seeds were the least expensive food group on average, accounting for 7 percent of the total cost.”

On national, state and zonal trends, the NBS said: “The national average Cost of a Healthy Diet was N1,589 per adult per day in April 2026.

“At the state level, Ekiti, Imo and Bayelsa states recorded the highest costs at N2,036, N2,018 and N1,909, respectively. Adamawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Akwa Ibom State recorded the lowest costs at N1,143, N1,278 and N1,314, respectively.

“At the zonal level, the average CoHD was highest in the South-East Zone at N1,830 per day, followed by the South-West Zone at N1,753 per day.

“The lowest average Cost of a Healthy Diet was recorded in the North-East Zone at N1,415 per day.”

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