The Food Environment and Obesity in Nigeria: Intersection of Access, Affordability, and Policy

Background: Nigeria faces a double burden of malnutrition, with rising obesity rates together with persistent undernutrition. The food environment which was shaped by access, affordability, and policyplays a critical role in driving this nutrition transition. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed literature, global reports, and policy documents to examine how retail trends, economic disparities, and regulatory frameworks intersect to influence dietary patterns and obesity risk in Nigeria. Results: The Nigerian food environment is characterized by a typical informal markets and rapidly expanding supermarkets, with ultra-processed foods becoming increasingly accessible. Affordability disparities make nutrient‑dense foods prohibitively expensive for many households, while energy‑dense, low nutrient options remain cheap. Policy interventions, such as the sugar‑sweetened beverage tax, exist but are weakened by low rates, loopholes, and lack of complementary regulations. Studies from Mexico and South Africa demonstrate that comprehensive fiscal and multi‑sectoral approaches can effectively shift consumption patterns. Discussion: The intersection of easy access to unhealthy foods, unaffordability of healthy diets, and policy gaps creates an obesity-promoting environment that disproportionately affects low‑income urban populations. Without coordinated action across sectors, obesity rates will continue to rise, exacerbating health inequalities and overwhelming the health system. Conclusion: Strengthening fiscal policies, mandating interpretative labeling, restricting unhealthy food marketing, realigning agricultural subsidies, and incorporating nutrition into urban planning are essential to creating a healthier food environment in Nigeria.