The Cost of Healthy Diet in Nigeria climbed to N1,589 per adult per day in April 2026, reflecting a 3.12 percent month-on-month increase as food prices continued to rise across most nutritional categories, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The latest Cost of Healthy Diet report released by the NBS showed that the average daily cost increased from N1,541 recorded in March 2026, with the agency attributing the rise to higher prices across nearly all food groups except starchy staples.
According to the bureau, the April increase outpaced both the country’s general inflation rate and food inflation during the same period.
The NBS 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 report evaluates the minimum amount required for an adult to consume a nutritionally balanced diet based on prevailing food prices across the country.
The NBS said animal source foods remained the most expensive component of a healthy diet, accounting for 40 percent of the total daily cost while contributing only 13 percent of total calorie requirements.
The report also showed that: Fruits accounted for 16 percent of the total diet cost while supplying only 7 percent of calories, vegetables contributed 14 percent of the cost but only 5 percent of calorie intake, legumes, nuts and seeds remained the least expensive category, representing 7 percent of the total daily cost.
The bureau noted that although fruits and vegetables contribute relatively fewer calories, their prices continue to significantly influence the overall cost of maintaining a healthy diet.
The Cost of Healthy Diet varied significantly across Nigeria’s states and geopolitical zones. At the state level: Ekiti recorded the highest daily cost at N2,036, Imo followed with N2,018, Bayelsa ranked third at N1,909. The lowest costs were recorded in: Adamawa – N1,143, Federal Capital Territory – N1,278, Akwa Ibom – N1,314
Across the six geopolitical zones, the South-East recorded the highest average daily cost at N1,830, followed by the South-West at N1,753. The North-East posted the lowest regional average, with residents requiring N1,415 per adult per day to afford a healthy diet.
The continued rise in healthy food costs highlights the financial challenge many households face in accessing balanced nutrition. With prices increasing faster than both headline and food inflation, the latest figures underscore ongoing concerns about food affordability and dietary quality for Nigerians amid broader economic pressures.
