According to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the average cost of a healthy diet in Nigeria rose to N938 per day in February, up from N858 in January 2024.
The February Cost of A Healthy Diet (CoHD) report, released in partnership with Gain Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, revealed that the average CoHD was highest in the South West at N1,157 per adult per day, compared to N723 in the West.
This increase comes amidst a general rise in food prices across Nigeria.
The report clarifies that CoHD cannot be directly compared to the Consumer Price Index, which was at 31.70% in February 2024.
Explaining the difference, the report noted, “In recent months, the CoHD has outpaced general and food inflation rates. However, direct comparison is challenging since the CoHD covers fewer items and is calculated in Naira per day, while the food CPI is a weighted index.”
Between January and February 2024, the report highlights a 4% increase in the food Consumer Price Index, while the CoHD surged by 9% during the same period.