Regulatory agencies and development partners have reinforced their commitment to enhancing food fortification and tackling micronutrient deficiencies in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Annual Joint Regulatory Agencies Directors General Roundtable Meeting in Abuja, the Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, underscored the crucial role of food fortification in improving public health.
“SON remains at the forefront of enforcing fortification guidelines to ensure compliance, particularly in essential food products such as sugar, vegetable oil, margarine, and flour,” Dr. Okeke stated.
He highlighted the Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus (DFQT+) initiative, which strengthens regulatory oversight and enhances supply chain transparency. He also noted Nigeria’s leadership role in the West African Fortification Alliance, aimed at harmonizing fortification policies across the region.
Dr. Michael Ojo, Country Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in fortification compliance but emphasized the need to address persisting challenges.
“This Roundtable serves as a strategic platform to align stakeholders and drive impactful fortification initiatives. Today, we will review and adopt revised Terms of Reference, launch the LSFF Innovations Fund, and secure commitments for the next phase of the DFQT+ project,” he said.
Reaffirming the commitment of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stressed the importance of collaboration among regulatory agencies to ensure compliance.
Represented by Mrs. Eva Edwards, Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at NAFDAC, she commended the initiative, which has brought key stakeholders together since 2022 to advance Nigeria’s Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) program.
“Nigeria has made notable progress in fortifying wheat flour, sugar, and vegetable oil over the past two decades, but full compliance remains a work in progress. Strengthening regulatory oversight and securing industry commitment are critical to ensuring fortified foods meet required standards and reach vulnerable populations,” she stated.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Olatunji Bello, represented by Dr. Nkexhi Mba, emphasized the importance of consumer protection in fortification efforts.
“Food fortification plays a vital role in addressing hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies. FCCPC remains committed to monitoring compliance and ensuring that Nigerian consumers have access to adequately fortified foods,” she noted.
As Nigeria continues its fight against malnutrition, stakeholders agreed that sustained collaboration, regulatory innovations, and industry commitment are essential for achieving a robust and sustainable food fortification system.
