Nigeria has experienced a substantial spike in the Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) from February to May 2024, with a 10.98% jump from N938 to N1,041 per adult per day, surpassing both general and food inflation rates, thereby making nutritious food less affordable for the population.
Over the past year, the CoHD has consistently increased, with a remarkable 118.8% rise from December 2022 to April 2024. Regional disparities are notable, with the South West having the highest average cost at N1,406 per adult per day and the North West having the lowest at N781 per adult per day.
Experts warn that this trend indicates a concerning decline in access to healthy food options, which could have severe public health implications, including malnutrition, chronic diseases, and other diet-related health issues.
The surge in food prices has raised concerns among citizens, who attribute it to declining agricultural productivity and supply chain issues.
However, agricultural experts believe that some price inflation is unjustified and can be controlled through regulations.
Alarmingly, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) reported a significant increase in admissions of severely malnourished children with life-threatening complications in their Northern Nigeria facilities in June, exceeding last year’s figures by over 100% in some locations. This indicates an early peak in the lean season and a rise in acute malnutrition, typically expected in July.
Experts emphasize that tackling this issue requires implementing policies and interventions that boost farmers’ resilience to climate change, increase food availability, and make healthy food more affordable and accessible, especially for vulnerable groups.
 from February to May 2024, with a 10.98% jump from N938 to N1,041 per adult per day, surpassing both general and food inflation rates, thereby making nutritious food less affordable for the population.){kind=link}