Abuja Residents Pay N60,000 Monthly for Basic Diet Despite Slowing Food Inflation

Maintaining a healthy diet in Abuja still costs a fortune, even as food inflation slows year on year. A market survey by Nairametrics across Orange Market, Nyanya Market and Karu Market shows the average Nigerian adult now spends between N1,500 and N2,000 daily on basic nutrition. That translates to N45,000 to N60,000 every month.

Family Feeding Costs Hit N300,000 Monthly

For a family of four or five, monthly feeding expenses now range from N250,000 to N300,000. The survey found that an average family of five needs between N9,000 and N10,000 daily, or about N270,000 to N300,000 monthly, to maintain a basic healthy diet. This pressure on household budgets persists despite recent improvements in inflation metrics.

Food prices remain elevated across major markets nationwide. Transportation costs, insecurity in food producing areas, supply chain bottlenecks and seasonal fluctuations in agricultural output are the main drivers.

Experts Blame Logistics and Security Gaps

Dr. Almaroof Ojerinde, an economist at the University of Abuja, said food inflation is not just about production. “The cost of moving goods from farms to markets has increased significantly due to fuel prices, poor road infrastructure and logistics challenges. These costs are eventually transferred to consumers,” he said.

Agricultural economist Dr. Aisha Mohammed noted that many farmers are producing below capacity because of security concerns. Unpredictable weather has also hit yields in some regions. “Even when production improves, transportation and storage challenges often prevent consumers from benefiting fully from lower farm gate prices,” she added.

Public health nutritionist Chinenye Chibuzor warned that high food costs are hurting nutrition. “When households spend a larger share of their income on food, they often cut back on protein, fruits and vegetables. The result is that people may be eating enough calories but not necessarily getting adequate nutrition,” she said.

Ibrahim Musa, a rice wholesaler at Orange Market, pointed to rising distribution costs. “Even when we buy products at relatively stable prices from suppliers, the cost of bringing them to Abuja keeps increasing. Loading charges, fuel costs and multiple levies along the roads all affect final prices,” he explained.

Market Prices Show No Relief

A review of food prices across the surveyed markets shows staple commodities remain expensive. A 50kg bag of imported rice sells between N55,000 and N65,000. Local rice ranges from N45,000 to N55,000. Beans cost between N4,000 and N6,500 per paint bucket depending on variety and location. Garri sells for between N2,000 and N3,500 per paint bucket. A crate of eggs costs between N6,000 and N8,500. A 25 litre keg of vegetable oil sells between N55,000 and N61,200. Beef ranges from N4,500 to N6,500 per kilogram.

Fresh produce prices remain volatile. A large basket of tomatoes currently costs between N35,000 and N80,000. Pepper sells for between N45,000 and N150,000 per bag. Onion prices range from N60,000 to N115,000 per bag.

Compared to May 2025, bean prices have moderated from between N7,000 and N9,000 per paint bucket a year ago. But garri has recorded one of the sharpest increases, rising from between N650 and N900 per paint bucket to as high as N3,500 currently.

Households Feel the Squeeze

Ngozi Eze, a civil servant and mother of four, said the situation is painful. “Two years ago, N100,000 could buy enough food for several weeks. Today, that amount disappears very quickly. We now buy smaller quantities and avoid some items that have become too expensive,” she said.

Commercial driver Sani Bello said his income has not kept pace with rising food costs. “Sometimes I have to choose between buying fuel for work and buying certain food items for my family. It is becoming harder to maintain a balanced diet,” he said.

Official Data Confirms Slow Improvement

Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 15.69% in April 2026 from 15.38% in March. Food inflation stood at 16.06% year on year, significantly lower than the 24.68% recorded in April 2025. The NBS attributed the increase in food prices to higher costs of millet, yam flour, fresh ginger, beef, garri, beans, tomatoes, wheat grain, soybeans and plantain.

Imported rice sold between N55,000 and N70,000 per 50kg bag in May 2025, while local rice ranged from N50,000 to N58,000. Crates of eggs sold between N5,500 and N6,500 a year ago, compared to N6,000 and N8,500 currently.

Nairametrics reported earlier that the average daily cost of maintaining a healthy diet climbed to N1,513 per adult in February 2026.