10 states in Nigeria with the lowest cost for healthy eating

Depending on where you live, healthy living might be a simple task or a pricey burden. This factor, particularly as it pertains to healthy eating stands out in the diverse landscape of Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. The country spans 6 geo-political zones and contains 36 states, each with a different cost of living index.

Eating healthy in Nigeria has seemingly become more of a burden owing to the rise of inflation and how this has affected the food market.

Meals that constitute a healthy balanced diet have become more unaffordable and have forced the average Nigerian to nitpick what to eat daily. As a result, the option of eating healthy has been sidelined by many for the option of avoiding hunger altogether.

The least expensive combination of locally accessible foods that satisfy internationally accepted food-based dietary recommendations is known as the Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD). It serves as a gauge for both the financial and physical accessibility of wholesome diets.

A report by the National Bureau of Statistics, titled “Cost of a Healthy Diet”, noted that in March 2024, the national average cost of a healthy diet was N982. This is 4.7% more than the amount that was reported in February 2024 (which was N938).

The average CoHD in the South West was N1,198 per adult per day in March 2024, whereas it was N787 per adult per day in the North West.

With that said here are the 10 states in the country where eating healthy is the least expensive.