Deficiency in both diet quality and diet quantity is today a global problem. This study has its
foundation in the Lancasterian theory of consumer choices as the basis for the study of protein
intake in Nigeria. The objectives of this study are to determine the level of protein intake, estimate
the expenditure elasticities for protein consumption, compare protein intake between rural and
urban areas and examine the effect of location on protein consumption in the study area. Data for
the study came from a sample survey of Ibadan zone of Oyo State, Nigeria. Multiple regression
analysis was employed to analyze the data. Household nutrient intake functions were estimated
under intercept and slope specifications. The total protein consumed by an average rural
household (328.95gm) was more than that of an average urban household (268.52gml).The
portion of protein from plant source of 54.08 gm for an average rural household was greater than
the 51.1 gm available to the average urban household. This source does not satisfy the 70
gm/cap/day recommended intake by FAO (1985) for both the rural and urban areas. The result
showed that overall per capita intake of 63.4 gm/cap/day of protein in rural area was greater than
the 60.94 gm/cap/day for the urban area. The rural household per capita consumption of the
nutrient was lower by 6.6 gm/cap/day than the recommended level while that of the urban area
fell short of it by 9.06 gm /cap/day. The Intercept model produced four variables total expenditure
(X1) in naira, household size (X2), (number) education of household head in years (X3) and
education of wife in a monogamous household or sum of years, education of wives in a
polygamous household. (X4) those were positive and significantly related to the consumption of
protein. The household head’s education variable (X3) was positive and significant. The location
variable was negative and significantly related to protein consumption. It indicated that the
average rural household consumes more protein than the average urban household. The slope
model showed that the variables total expenditure (X1) in naira, household size (X2), (number)
education of household head in years (X3) and education of wife in a monogamous household or
sum of years, education of wives in a polygamous household. (X4) were significant and directly
related to protein consumption. The variable X1 interacted with the dummy was negative and
significant indicating inverse relationship with protein consumption. This means that the elasticity
of consumption of the nutrient with respect to X1 is greater for rural than for the urban household.
That is, the elasticity value for the urban area was lower. The variables interacted with the dummy
are positive. However, the interacted terms with household size (X2) and education of wives in apolygamous household. (X4) were significant while that with education of household head in
years (X3) was insignificant. This significance implies that the elasticity with respect to this
variable is lower for the rural than the urban household. Based on the findings in this study it is
recommended that nutrient consumption awareness campaign, and Nutrition education policies
be put in place.