Despite more than two decades of food fortification efforts, 76 per cent of Nigerians still consume unbranded, often unfortified edible oil.
The Director of Nutrition at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ladi Bako-Aiyegbusi, stated this at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja. The ministry, in collaboration with Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) and partners, officially unveiled the Third-Party Advocacy Campaign (TPAC) project.
The initiative is designed to phase out unbranded bulk oil from Nigerian markets and promote fortified alternatives as part of a nationwide strategy to combat malnutrition and enhance workforce nutrition.
Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi described the current situation as “deeply concerning”, stating that “Over 76% of Nigerians still consume unbranded oil. We must work together to reduce this figure to zero in the next four years.”
She emphasised that unregulated oils sold in open markets are often adulterated and lack vital nutrients, contributing to widespread deficiencies such as vitamin A and preventable conditions like goitre.
The TPAC project focuses on improving food safety and ensuring essential nutrient intake through mandatory fortification. It also aims to encourage healthier dietary practices among workers, which will improve their well-being and economic output.
The project aims to drive public awareness, influence policy reforms, and mobilise stakeholders nationwide. CS-SUNN will implement it in partnership with E-Health Africa.
In their goodwill messages, key partners, including Helen Keller International, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and state-level representatives from Lagos, Abia, and Kano collectively stressed the urgent need to scale up efforts to ensure that all edible oils in the country are branded, regulated, and fortified.
Representing the media, the president of the Nigerian Health Journalists Association, Mr. Joseph Kadiri, pledged full support for the advocacy campaign, stating that journalists would play a key role in educating the public and holding producers accountable.
CS-SUNN Project Manager Ridwan Awosanya reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to a revised national Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) policy.
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