The Growing Challenge of Affording a Healthy Diet in Nigeria: 2023 vs. 2024
The Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) in Nigeria represents the least expensive combination of locally available food items that meets global dietary guidelines. It serves as a crucial measure of physical and economic access to nutritious food. Over the past year, the CoHD has seen significant increases, often outpacing general and food inflation rates based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
The Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) in Nigeria has shown a notable increase from March-May 2023 to June 2024. This comparison highlights the significant inflationary pressures on food prices and the broader economic challenges faced by Nigerian households.
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Table 1: CoHD Data Comparison (March-May 2023)
| Month/Year | CoHD Per Day(Naira) | Percentage Increase |
| Mar-23 | N786 | - |
| Apr-23 | N858 | 9.20% |
| May-23 | N938 | 9.30% |
Table 2: CoHD Data (May 2023 to June 2024)
| Month/Year | CoHD Per Day (Naira) | Percentage Increase |
| May-23 | N938 | - |
| Dec-23 | N786 | - |
| Jan-24 | N858 | 9.20% |
| Feb-24 | N938 | 9.30% |
| Mar-24 | N982 | 4.70% |
| Apr-24 | N1,035 | 5.40% |
| May-24 | N1,041 | 0.60% |
| Jun-24 | N1,241 | 19.20% |
Table 3: CoHD Zonal Averages (June 2024)
| Zone | CoHD Average (Naira/person/day) |
| South West | N1,545 |
| South South | N1,376 |
| South East | N1,320 |
| North Central | N1,184 |
| North East | N1,135 |
| North West | N956 |
Key Observations
- Overall Increase: Comparing March 2023 (N786) to June 2024 (N1,241), there is a substantial 58% increase in the CoHD. This sharp rise underscores the rapid inflation of food prices over a relatively short period.
- Monthly Increases:
- From March 2023 to May 2023, the CoHD increased by 19.3% (from N786 to N938).
- From May 2023 to June 2024, the CoHD jumped by 32.1% (from N938 to N1,241).
- Drivers of Increase:
- The primary drivers of the increase in CoHD have been rising prices in starchy staples, legumes, nuts and seeds, and animal-source foods. Vegetables and fruits have seen smaller price increments but still contribute to the overall rise in CoHD
- Regional Disparities:
- In June 2024, the CoHD was highest in the South West at N1,545 per adult per day and lowest in the North West at N956. These regional disparities reflect varying economic conditions and access to food resources across Nigeria.
Implications of the Rising CoHD
The steady increase in the CoHD has profound implications for food security and nutrition in Nigeria. The data highlights the growing economic challenge for Nigerian households to afford a healthy diet, which can exacerbate issues of malnutrition and health disparities.
Conclusion
The rising CoHD underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve food affordability and accessibility. Policymakers must consider strategies to stabilize food prices, enhance agricultural productivity, and provide social safety nets to support vulnerable populations. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring that all Nigerians can maintain a healthy diet.
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