The cost of maintaining a healthy daily diet in Nigeria increased to N1,589 per adult in April 2026, placing additional pressure on household budgets despite signs of easing inflation.
The News Chronicle reports that recent National Bureau of Statistics data reveal a 3.12% increase from the N1,541 noted in March and a 4.74 percent rise over the N1,518 stated in April 2025.
Rising prices across most food groups drove the rise; starchy staples were the only category to show a drop. Though food inflation slowed from last year and headline inflation dropped to 15.93 percent in May, many households still battle the escalating price of healthy meals.
Still the most expensive element of a balanced diet, animal-based items took the most of daily food expenditure. At N2,036, Ekiti had the highest daily healthy diet cost; Adamawa stayed the cheapest state at N1,143.
Among many states, the study also found white beans, palm oil, white garri, and white maize to be among the most reasonably priced food options, therefore presenting consumers with less expensive choices in the face of ongoing food price increases.
