Here are seven relatively expensive Nigerian food items and cheaper substitutes you can use without losing much nutrition or taste:
Fresh Tomatoes
- Substitute:
- Tinned/canned tomatoes (tomato paste or puree sachets)
- Fresh blended pepper mix (ata rodo + tatase + onions)
- Sun-dried tomatoes (where available locally)
- Why:
Fresh tomatoes are seasonal and price-sensitive. Using pepper blends or sachets helps maintain similar colour and flavour in soups and stews at a lower cost.
Rice (especially foreign/parboiled rice)
- Substitute: Local rice, unpolished rice, or ofada rice
- Why: Cheaper, locally produced, and more filling.
Turkey / imported frozen chicken
- Substitute: Local chicken (free-range), catfish, or eggs
- Why: Local options are fresher and cheaper.
Yam (especially during scarcity season)
- Substitute: Plantain, sweet potato, cocoyam
- Why: Often cheaper and more available year-round.
Fish (imported frozen mackerel, Titus, etc.)
- Substitute: Local fresh fish like tilapia, catfish, or crayfish
- Why: Locally sourced fish reduces import cost.
Milk (powdered and imported brands)
- Substitute: Soy milk, tigernut milk, or locally fortified beverages
- Why: Cheaper and still nutritious.
Groundnut oil (refined imported brands)
- Substitute: Palm oil (unrefined), locally processed groundnut oil
- Why: More affordable and locally produced.
Bottom line:
In Nigeria, the most reliable budget strategy is to rely more on:
- Cassava-based foods (garri, fufu, lafun)
- Legumes (beans, soybeans)
- Locally produced grains and oils