Politics
Healthy Costs Rise to N1,589 Per Day in April as Food Prices Climb, Says NBS – THISAGE
By Ayo Kehinde
The average cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria rose to N1,589 per adult per day in April 2026, reflecting continued increases in food prices across most food groups, according to the latest Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report showed that the daily cost increased by 3.12 percent from N1,541 recorded in March and was 4.74 percent higher than the N1,518 reported in April 2025.
The NBS attributed the month-on-month increase to rising prices across nearly all food categories, except starchy staples.
Ekiti recorded the highest average daily cost of a healthy diet at N2,036, followed by Imo at N2,018 and Bayelsa at N1,909.
Adamawa posted the lowest cost at N1,143, while the Federal Capital Territory and Akwa Ibom followed at N1,278 and N1,314, respectively.
At the regional level, the South-East recorded the highest average daily cost at N1,830, ahead of the South-West at N1,753. The North-East remained the least expensive region, with an average cost of N1,415 per day.
The report noted that animal-source foods remained the costliest component of a healthy diet, accounting for 40 percent of total dietary costs despite contributing only 13 percent of calorie requirements.
Fruits and vegetables represented 16 percent and 14 percent of total costs, respectively, while providing relatively small shares of daily calorie needs.
The NBS also identified the least expensive food items commonly selected across states. White beans emerged as the cheapest option in the legumes, nuts, and seeds category in 65 percent of state sectors, while palm oil was the least expensive oil in 62 percent.
White garri and white maize grains were the most affordable starchy staples, highlighting regional price differences despite their widespread availability.
Post Views:
122
