Nigeria's House Pushes Tougher Food Safety Laws

Nigeria is taking a major step toward protecting its citizens from unsafe food and malnutrition with new legislative action that could transform the country's food system.

The House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security announced this week that it's advancing several bills to ensure every Nigerian has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. The committee's chairman, Chike Okafor, acknowledged that while Nigeria has many food policies, too few have real enforcement power.

The timing couldn't be more critical. Nigeria continues struggling with high rates of malnutrition, stunting, and anemia, particularly among children. The committee warns that unregulated agricultural chemicals and unsafe food production methods are contributing to serious health problems, including kidney and liver disease.

One proposed bill would establish the Nutritionist Registration Council of Nigeria to regulate the nutrition profession for the first time. Another National Nutrition Bill, sponsored by the Vice President's office, has reached advanced stages before heading to the National Assembly.

The committee is also investigating potential misuse of agricultural intervention funds and examining concerns around ginger blight disease. This disease devastated Nigeria's ginger production, causing prices to skyrocket from about 25,000 naira to 800,000 naira per bag. Food safety advocate Dr. Shego pointed to possibly contaminated agricultural inputs as a contributing factor.

The Ripple Effect

The legislative push is already creating waves across Nigeria's 36 states. Following a retreat in Imo State, 32 state assemblies have now established their own nutrition and food security committees. These groups formed the National Legislative Network of Nutrition and Food Security, inaugurated by the House Speaker in July 2024.

This coordinated approach brings together federal and state lawmakers, civil society groups, and development partners. The goal is tackling food insecurity through unified action rather than scattered efforts.

The committee emphasizes that Nigeria has the resources to win this fight. With abundant arable land, water resources, and human capital, the country is positioned to address hunger and malnutrition through coordinated legislative action and enforcement.

Advocates are also calling for a shift toward organic farming and natural seeds, with Dr. Shego encouraging Nigerians to plant edible crops rather than purely decorative ones where practical.

With multiple bills advancing and growing support across state legislatures, Nigeria is building the legal framework to turn its food safety crisis into a story of protection and progress.