The latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has ranked Ekiti, Imo and Bayelsa states as the most expensive states to maintain a healthy diet.
The Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) report for the month of April 2026 released by the NBS shows that Ekiti, Imo and Bayelsa States recorded the highest cost at N2,036, N2,018, and N1,909 respectively. Conversely, Adamawa, Federal Capital Territory and Akwa Ibom State accounted for the lowest costs at N1,143, N1,278 and N1,314 respectively.
Zonal analysis shows that the average CoHD was highest in the South-east at N1,830 per adult per day, compared to N1,415 per adult per day in the North-east in April 2026.
The Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) is the least expensive combination of locally available food items that meets globally consistent food-based dietary guidelines. It is used as a measure of physical and economic access to healthy diets.
According to the report, the national average Cost of a Healthy Diet in April 2026 stood at N1,589 per adult per day, representing an increase of 3.12 per cent from N1,541 recorded in March 2026.
The report noted that this figure represents only the minimum cost of a healthy diet per adult per day and excludes transportation, cooking and other meal preparation costs.
It is also instructive to note that the Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) has been rising steadily over the past year. As of April 2026, the CoHD was 4.74 per cent higher than in April 2025, increasing from N1,518 to N1,589.
The report further revealed that animal-source foods remained the most expensive component of a healthy diet in April, accounting for 40 per cent of the total Cost of a Healthy Diet while contributing only 13 per cent of the total calories required.
The NBS also stated that fruits and vegetables were the most expensive food groups in terms of cost per calorie. Fruits accounted for 16 per cent of the total Cost of a Healthy Diet while supplying only 7 per cent of total calories. Vegetables represented 14 per cent of the total cost but contributed just 5 per cent of total calories in the healthy diet basket.
However, legumes, nuts and seeds were the least expensive food group, accounting for only 7 per cent of the total cost on average.
According to the NBS, the Cost of a Healthy Diet has increased faster than both general inflation and food inflation, raising concerns over the declining standard of living and the ability of households to afford nutritious meals.
Nigerian households have in recent years grappled with a severe cost-of-living crisis driven by persistent inflation, which has significantly eroded purchasing power.