Two-thirds of Nigerian households cannot afford nutritious food, according to a new National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) survey comparing data from 2018/19 to 2023/24.

The study reveals a sharp decline in food security, with 62.4% of households worried about having enough food to eat—a significant jump from 36.9% five years ago. Nearly 64% of families reported limiting their diet variety due to financial constraints, while 60.5% reduced their portions.

The survey also highlighted infrastructure challenges. While 82.2% of urban households have electricity access, only 40.4% of rural homes are connected to the power grid. Those with electricity face an average of 6.7 blackouts weekly.

Traditional cooking methods dominate, with 65% of households using three-stone stoves and 70.2% relying on wood fuel, though LPG usage is increasing. Basic amenities remain scarce, with many homes lacking proper toilets and depending on boreholes for water. Nearly half of households dispose of waste in bushes or streets.

While overall asset ownership has decreased since 2018/19, mobile phone penetration remains high at two-thirds of households, with 21.3% having internet access. Home ownership stands at 70.4% nationally, showing a notable urban-rural divide (49.1% urban vs. 80.1% rural).​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​