Eating healthy is becoming a luxury, and the numbers don’t lie. The cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria has skyrocketed by 27.3% in just one year, jumping from N1,265 per adult per day in July 2024 to a staggering N1,611 in July 2025. This alarming trend was revealed in the latest Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), leaving many to wonder: is healthy eating still accessible for the average Nigerian?
But here’s where it gets even more eye-opening: the cost isn’t rising uniformly across the country. Ekiti, Bayelsa, and Imo States are leading the pack with the highest costs, demanding N2,663, N2,352, and N2,235 per day, respectively. Meanwhile, Gombe, Katsina, and Yobe States offer a bit of relief with the lowest costs at N985, N1,147, and N1,180 per day. At the zonal level, the South-West Zone takes the crown for the most expensive healthy diet at N2,030 per day, while the North-East Zone offers the most affordable option at N1,341 per day.
And this is the part most people miss: not all food groups are driving up the cost equally. Animal-source foods, though providing only 13% of total calories, account for a whopping 32% of the total CoHD. Fruits and vegetables, while essential, are also budget-busters, making up 16% and 14% of the total cost, respectively, despite contributing just 7% and 5% of calories. On the flip side, legumes, nuts, and seeds are the unsung heroes, being the least expensive group at just 7% of the total cost.
The trend analysis paints a rollercoaster picture. From January to April 2025, the CoHD climbed steadily, reaching N1,598. But May brought a surprising 7.1% drop to N1,484, thanks to lower prices for oils, fats, starchy staples, vegetables, and fruits. However, this relief was short-lived, as costs rebounded in June and July, driven by higher prices for legumes, nuts, seeds, animal-source foods, and fruits. Starchy staples, interestingly, saw a decline in price during this period—a rare silver lining in an otherwise costly landscape.
But here’s the controversial question: Is the rising cost of healthy eating a reflection of global food trends, or is it a symptom of deeper economic challenges in Nigeria? As the cost continues to climb, it’s not just about affordability—it’s about accessibility and equity. What do you think? Is healthy eating becoming a privilege rather than a right? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s spark a conversation that matters.
