Ticking Time Bomb for Public Health
Southwest Nigeria has experienced a dramatic 110.3% increase in the Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) between October 2023 and September 2024, significantly outpacing the national average rise of 91.1%. By September 2024, the average daily CoHD in the region stood at ₦1,598, translating to nearly ₦200,000 per month for a family of four. States such as Osun and Ondo recorded the steepest increases at 130% and 127%, respectively. These soaring food costs present substantial challenges to household affordability, with many families facing growing food insecurity.

This sharp rise in food costs highlights critical challenges in food affordability across the region, as household incomes struggle to keep pace with escalating prices. This report by DAWN Commission warns that this trend could exacerbate malnutrition, diet-related illnesses, and economic instability if left unchecked. The country is tilting towards acute food insecurity, which poses severe risks to public health, workforce productivity, and economic development.

The report stresses the urgent need for strategic interventions to address these issues. Recommendations include increasing agricultural investments, improving market infrastructure, and promoting the production of affordable, nutrient-rich local foods. Multisectoral collaboration among governments, private sector stakeholders, and civil society is essential to mitigate these challenges.

Without immediate action, malnutrition and diet-related illnesses are likely to worsen, further undermining the well-being and economic stability of Southwest Nigeria. The DAWN Commission therefore calls for coordinated efforts to promote food security and ensure access to sustainable, nutritious diets for the region’s growing population.

Download the report here