NBS Report: Cost of Nutritious Diet Rises Sharply in Nigeria, Exceeding ₦1,035 in April

By: Amadi Vincent Uzoma

The national average cost of a healthy diet (CoHD) per adult per day was NBS 1,035 in April. NBS disclosed this in its April 2024 CoHD report, released on Wednesday in Abuja. The Bureau said CoHD in April was up 5.4% compared to N982 recorded in March.
NBS said CoHD is the least expensive combination of locally available items that meet consistent global dietary guidelines. “This is the lower cost limit (or floor) per adult per day, excluding travel and meal preparation costs.
The Bureau said that to calculate the CoHD index, the following data on retail food prices, food composition data, and healthy dietary standards are needed.

The NBS report also revealed significant regional and state-level disparities in the cost of a healthy diet (CoHD) in Nigeria. The South West zone recorded the highest CoHD at N1,406 per adult per day, followed by the South East zone at N1,190 per day. The North West zone had the lowest CoHD at N781 per adult per day. Furthermore, Ekiti, Ogun, and Osun states had the highest CoHD values among all states, registering N1,483, N1,447, and N1,417, respectively.

NBS said CoHD has increased steadily since the bureau’s first CoHD report in October 2023. “CoHD in April 2024 was 40% higher than the level recorded in October 2023 at N703 and 5% higher than CoHD in March 2024, i.e N982 “The food groups that increase CoHD most significantly are vegetables, starchy foods, legumes, nuts, and seeds meet oil and fat recommendations that have changed since at least March 2024.

The report adds that foods of animal origin were the most expensive food group recommended in April, which accounts for 36% of total CoHD and provides 13 percent of total calories He notes that fruits and vegetables are the most expensive food groups in terms of cost per calorie ” They account for 11% and 16%, respectively total CoHD while providing only 7% and 5% of total calories in a healthy diet basket.” Beans, nuts, and seeds are on average the cheapest food group, accounting for 6% of total costs.

The report also points out that in recent months, CoHD has increased faster than general inflation and food inflation. “However, CoHD and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for foods are not directly comparable. “CoHD covers fewer items and is measured in Naira per day, while food CPI is a weighted index.
NBS said the policy implications of these findings will foster collaboration among multiple stakeholders, such as policymakers, researchers and civil society organizations focused on Food Security. “These stakeholders will develop strategies that effectively address the accessibility, availability, and affordability of healthy foods.
“Future research incorporating income could also be used to determine the proportion and number of the population that cannot afford a healthy diet,” the report states.