1. Check the nginx stub_status_module is enabled:

nginx -V 2>&1 | grep -o with-http_stub_status_module

This should result in:

with-http_stub_status_module

If not, install nginx with stub_status_module enabled.

2. Add the following code to the server block:

server {
listen 80 default_server;
# Define the document root of the server e.g /var/www/html
root /var/www/html;
location /nginx_status {
# Enable Nginx stats
stub_status on;
# Only allow access from your IP e.g 1.1.1.1 or localhost #
allow 127.0.0.1;
allow 1.1.1.1
# Other request should be denied
deny all;
}

*Set allow IP to the sources you need access from*

3. Browse to http(s)://example.com/nginx_status

Credit goes to – https://www.keycdn.com/support/nginx-status/