Rising Inflation Robs Nigerian Families of Balanced Diet

Follow

( 0 Followers )

X

Follow

E-mail : *

Follow Unfollow

Maintaining a healthy diet amid run-away prices of food items has become a great struggle for many households, the October 2024 Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) report has shown. The report, produced by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), shows that the national average cost of a healthy diet is now ₦1,371 per adult per day. This represents a 1.9% increase from September 2024 and a staggering 95% rise compared to October 2023, underscoring the worsening affordability of nutritious food in the country.
The disparity in dietary costs across regions paints a stark picture of inequality. The Southwest leads as the most expensive zone, with a daily average of ₦1,656 per adult, while the Northwest offers the most affordable rates at ₦1,149. At the state level, Ogun, Ekiti, and Akwa Ibom/Osun recorded the highest costs, with Ogun reaching ₦1,798 in urban areas. Conversely, rural Niger was the most affordable at ₦905 per adult per day. This urban-rural divide highlights significant barriers to access, even within the same state or region.
Food categories also reflect troubling trends. Animal-source foods, which accounted for only 13% of total calories in a healthy diet, made up 37% of the total cost. Similarly, vegetables and fruits, vital for a balanced diet, were the most expensive per calorie, while staples like legumes, nuts, and seeds emerged as the most affordable contributors to nutritional needs.
The report attributes the sharp rise in dietary costs to several factors, including increased prices for vegetables, legumes, and starchy staples. Interestingly, vegetable prices declined slightly monthly but remain significantly higher year-on-year. This escalation in the cost of a healthy diet has outpaced both general inflation and food inflation, indicating that even basic nutrition is becoming increasingly inaccessible.
A closer look at commonly selected low-cost items, such as palm oil, dried fish, and avocados, reveals some consistency across states in affordability. However, the choice of affordable staples varies; for example, urban areas often rely on garri, while rural areas prefer sorghum flour. This differentiation suggests that supply chains, local preferences, and market conditions play a critical role in cost variations.
Globally, the affordability of a healthy diet is also monitored, but Nigeria’s data collection methods—relying on over 10,000 retail outlets nationwide—offer a more localised perspective. Unlike global datasets, which often exclude cheaper local foods, Nigeria’s data highlights the unique challenges faced by its citizens, particularly the rural poor.
The implications of these findings are far-reaching. Policymakers must address supply bottlenecks and improve distribution networks to lower costs, especially for animal-source foods and fresh produce. Social protection programmes and income-based interventions are needed to ensure vulnerable populations can access a healthy diet. Additionally, the report provides a foundation for targeted agricultural policies to prioritise the cultivation of high cost but essential food items.
Beyond policy, the data offers insights for civil society, development partners, and researchers to collaborate on sustainable solutions to food security. With over 70% of Nigerians potentially unable to afford a healthy diet, tackling this crisis requires immediate, coordinated action.