AGS NEWS – The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a significant rise in the cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria, with the average daily expense per adult reaching N1,255 in August 2024.

This represents a 28% increase from N982 recorded in March 2024.

The NBS, in a report released on Thursday, said it gathers retail food prices monthly from over 10,000 outlets nationwide to track inflation, including prices of more than 200 food items.

Animal-sourced foods were noted as the most expensive, making up 37% of the total cost while contributing just 13% of daily calories.

State-level disparities were evident, with Ogun, Lagos, and Rivers states having the highest daily costs at N1,641, N1,615, and N1,572, respectively.

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In contrast, Katsina, Kaduna, and Sokoto states had the lowest costs, ranging from N880 to N980 per day.

Regional differences were also highlighted, with the South West zone recording the highest average daily cost of N1,554, and the North West the lowest at N1,041.

The rise in food costs was attributed to price increases in essential food groups, such as legumes, starchy staples, and vegetables.

However, the report also noted a 0.8% decrease in daily diet costs compared to July 2024, alongside a 14.5% drop in vegetable prices.

Experts have expressed concern that the ongoing rise in food prices could make it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to access nutritious meals.

The NBS also noted that the cost of a healthy diet has been rising faster than the general consumer price index since July 2023.