NBS partners gain, others to launch nutrition cost indicator

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Federal Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, Health and Social Welfare, and Agriculture and Food Security launched a nutrition indicator, the “Cost of a Healthy Diet.”
Speaking during the launch in Abuja Wednesday, Statistician-General of the Federation/ CEO, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran said the “Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD)” was the least expensive combination of locally available items that meets globally consistent food-based dietary guidelines, used as a measure of physical and economic access to healthy diets.
Continuing, Adeniran said the CoHD was a lower bound (or floor) of the cost per adult per day excluding the cost of transportation and meal preparation.
He informed that data for the indicator was derived from comprehensive food price data, a key component used in calculating the inflation rate, explaining the indicator would provide invaluable insights into the current state of nutrition and affordability across the nation.
Adeniran stated that available data on the indicator reveals that, the national average Cost of a Healthy Diet was N703 in October 2023 and the average CoHD was highest in the South-East at N918 per adult per day, compared to N605 per adult per day in the North-East, which was the lowest.
He said that in November 2023, the National average Cost of a Healthy Diet was N742 with the average CoHD bieng highest in the South-East at N920 per adult per day, compared to N616 per adult per day in the North-East, in November 2023.
He said that in December 2023, the National average Cost of a Healthy Diet was N786 with the average CoHD being highest in the South-West at N979 per adult per day, compared to N663 per adult per day in the North-West.
He expressed optimism that results from the indicator can support an integral part of the Nigerian government’s commitment to improving the health and quality of life for its citizens by informing agricultural, economic, and health policies.
Also speaking, Country Director of gain, Michael Ojo said the Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) indicator was one of the indicators featured in the Nigerian Sub-National Food Systems Dashboard.