One adult’s monthly healthy diet takes two-thirds of minimum wage

  • One adult’s healthy diet takes 66% of Nigeria’s minimum wage.
  • The national average monthly cost is about ₦46,230 per adult.
  • Ekiti has the highest burden, at 90% of minimum wage.
  • Six states require over 80% of minimum wage for one adult’s healthy diet.
  • Adamawa has the lowest burden, at 43%.

At the national average, one adult’s monthly healthy diet would take about two-thirds of Nigeria’s ₦70,000 minimum wage.

In March 2026, the average cost of a healthy diet was ₦1,541 per adult per day. Over 30 days, that comes to ₦46,230, or 66% of the minimum wage before rent, transport, utilities, healthcare, and other household expenses.

The burden was highest in Ekiti, where one adult’s monthly healthy diet would take 90% of the minimum wage. Imo followed at 88%, while Abia, Lagos, Ebonyi, and Bayelsa were all above 80%.

Adamawa had the lowest burden at 43%, followed by the FCT at 48% and Taraba at 49%.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics

Period:

March 2026
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The national average Cost of Healthy Diet (CoHD) in Nigeria increased by over 74% in 2024, surging from ₦858 in January to ₦1,495 in December
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