The Cost of a Healthy Diet continued its steep climb across Nigeria, rising by 27.3 percent year on year to N1,611 per adult per day in July 2025. The latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that households now face one of the sharpest annual increases recorded since the index was introduced.
The bureau explained that the July national average reflects broad price pressures across key food groups. Ekiti posted the highest state cost at N2,663 per adult per day, followed by Bayelsa at N2,352 and Imo at N2,235. Gombe recorded the lowest cost at N985, while Katsina and Yobe followed with N1,147 and N1,180.
Across geopolitical zones, the South West remained the most expensive region with an average daily cost of N2,030. The South East trailed at N1,862. The North East recorded the lowest figure at N1,341.
The food groups driving the surge remained consistent with earlier trends. Animal-source foods accounted for the largest share of the basket at 32 percent of total cost, though they provided only 13 percent of the calories. Fruits and vegetables continued to place heavy pressure on consumers due to their high price per calorie. They made up 16 percent and 14 percent of total cost but supplied only 7 percent and 5 percent of calories. Legumes, nuts and seeds remained the most affordable category at 7 percent of total cost.
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A review of monthly figures shows that the index has swung sharply through the year. It climbed from N1,328 in January to N1,346 in February, then jumped to N1,498 in March and N1,598 in April. A brief correction came in May when the cost slipped to N1,484, as lower prices for oils, starchy staples, vegetables and fruits eased pressure on household budgets. Small increases in legumes and animal-source foods partly reduced the relief.
Prices resumed their upward course in June at N1,514 and strengthened further in July. According to the bureau, the latest rise was fuelled by higher prices for legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits and animal-source foods. Starchy staples were the only group to record a decline.
With the Cost of a Healthy Diet continuing to rise, the data paints a challenging picture for households struggling to maintain balanced nutrition.
