The healthy diet cost in Nigeria increased by 3.12 per cent in April 2026, with the average daily amount required to maintain a healthy diet rising to N1,589 per adult, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The healthy diet cost report released by the NBS showed that the figure rose from N1,541 recorded in March 2026, reflecting continued pressure from higher food prices across most food groups.
According to the Bureau, the increase was driven by price increases across nearly all food categories, with the exception of starchy staples.
The report 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 NBS also noted that the increase in the healthy diet cost outpaced both Nigeria’s general inflation rate and food inflation during the review period.
The report showed that animal-source foods remained the costliest component of a healthy diet. According to the Bureau, animal-source foods accounted for 40 per cent of the total healthy diet cost while contributing only 13 per cent of the total calories required in a healthy diet.
Fruits and vegetables also remained relatively expensive when measured by the calories they provide. The report explained that: Fruits accounted for 16 per cent of the total healthy diet cost while providing only 7 per cent of total calories, vegetables represented 14 per cent of the cost but supplied just 5 per cent of the calories, legumes, nuts and seeds remained the least expensive food group, accounting for only 7 per cent of the total cost.
State-by-state analysis showed significant differences in the cost of maintaining a healthy diet across Nigeria. The highest average daily costs were recorded in: Ekiti State: N2,036, Imo State: N2,018, Bayelsa State: N1,909. The lowest costs were recorded in: Adamawa State: N1,143, Federal Capital Territory (FCT): N1,278, Akwa Ibom State: N1,314
At the regional level, the NBS reported that the South-East recorded the highest average healthy diet cost at N1,830 per adult per day, followed by the South-West at N1,753. The North-East recorded the lowest regional average at N1,415 per adult per day, making it the least expensive zone for maintaining a healthy diet during the month. The latest figures underscore the continued impact of rising food prices on household nutrition costs, even as essential food groups remain increasingly expensive for many Nigerians.
