October 8, 2024/CSL Research
Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals a 0.79% decline in the national average cost of a healthy diet in August 2024, dropping to ₦1,255 per adult per day from ₦1,265 in July. The Cost of Healthy Diet (CoHD) report, which tracks the most affordable combination of locally available foods that meet globally recognized dietary guidelines, provides insight into both the physical and economic accessibility of nutritious diets. This figure excludes transportation and meal preparation costs. Regionally, the highest average CoHD in August 2024 was recorded in the South-West at ₦1,554 per adult per day, while the lowest was in the North-West at ₦1,014. This disparity reflects significant variations in food costs across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, driven by factors such as seasonal weather changes, distance from core agricultural regions, farm-to-market logistics challenges, and environmental disruptions.
At the state level, Ogun, Lagos, and Rivers recorded the highest Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) in August 2024, at ₦1,641, ₦1,615, and ₦1,572, respectively. Conversely, Katsina, Kaduna, and Sokoto had the lowest costs, at ₦880, ₦951, and ₦980. Animal-sourced foods, which provide 13% of the total calories in a healthy diet basket, were the most expensive food group, making up 37% of the total CoHD. In contrast, legumes, nuts, and seeds, which also contribute 13% of calories, were the least expensive group, accounting for just 7% of the total cost, largely due to the start of the harvest season for these items. The CoHD has been rising faster than both general inflation and food inflation in recent months. The CoHD and the food Consumer Price Index (CPI) are not directly comparable since the CoHD includes fewer items and is measured in Naira per day, whereas the CPI is a weighted index.
The recent announcement by a director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security regarding the expansion of the federal government’s rice subsidy program to Lagos, Kano, and Borno states is expected to positively impact the Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) in the near term. Under this plan, the government will distribute 30,000 metric tonnes of rice—equivalent to approximately 1,000 trucks, each carrying 600 bags—offering 50kg bags of rice at a subsidized price of ₦40,000, compared to the market price of around ₦100,000 in some regions. This subsidy should help lower food costs and improve access to affordable staple foods.
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