Nigerians Need ₦1,589 Daily For Healthy Diet – Says NBS

The national average cost of a healthy diet rose by 3.12 per cent month-on-month to ₦1,589 per adult per day in April 2026, up from ₦1,541 recorded in March.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this in its Cost of a Healthy Diet report for April 2026, attributing the increase to rising prices across all food groups except starchy staples.

“The national average Cost of a Healthy Diet was ₦1,589 in April 2026. This shows an increase of 3.12% when compared to the amount recorded in the previous month (March 2026 was ₦1,541),” the bureau stated.

According to the NBS, the cost of maintaining a healthy diet rose faster than both general inflation and food inflation during the period under review.

The report showed that animal-source foods were the most expensive food group to meet in April, accounting for 40 per cent of the total cost of a healthy diet while providing only 13 per cent of total calories.

The bureau said fruits and vegetables were the most expensive food groups in terms of price per calorie.

“Fruits and vegetables were the most expensive food groups in terms of price per calorie; they accounted for 16 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, of the total CoHD while providing only 7 per cent and 5 per cent, 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 per cent of the total cost,” the report added.

Ekiti, Imo, Bayelsa Highest

NEWSNGR understands that at the state level, Ekiti, Imo and Bayelsa recorded the highest cost of a healthy diet at ₦2,036, ₦2,018 and ₦1,909 per adult per day, respectively.

Adamawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Akwa Ibom recorded the lowest costs at ₦1,143, ₦1,278 and ₦1,314, respectively.

The NBS said the average cost was highest in the South-East at ₦1,830 per day, followed by the South-West at ₦1,753 per day.

The North-East recorded the lowest average Cost of a Healthy Diet at ₦1,415 per adult per day.

The report highlights the continued pressure on household food budgets as Nigerians grapple with rising food prices across the country.