The federal government has launched a strategic shift toward science-driven regulation aimed at ensuring safer, healthier food for all Nigerians.
This was disclosed during the 2025 World Food Safety Day celebration, with the theme: “Food Safety: Science in Action.” on Monday in Abuja.
In her keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, emphasised that Nigeria’s food safety framework must now be anchored in research, data, and technology, marking a decisive departure from reactive policies to proactive governance.
“By harnessing cutting-edge research, risk assessment methodologies, and foodborne disease surveillance, we are building a resilient system that anticipates threats before they arise. This is not mere rhetoric, it is our blueprint for ensuring every meal in Nigeria is safe, healthy, and trustworthy,” she said.
Kachollom outlined several recent milestones, including the revised National Policy on Food Safety and Quality, the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, and the National Guideline for Food Handlers’ Medical Tests, noting that these policy instruments are already reshaping industry practices and raising hygiene standards across the country.
To further strengthen the country’s food safety system, the Permanent Secretary announced plans to scale up digital traceability systems, reinforce laboratory testing protocols, and deepen technical capacity-building for regulators and food professionals.
She also introduced the ministry’s Technical Working Groups (TWGs) as a central force in the country”s food safety reform.
These expert teams are focusing on key areas such as food inspection, traceability, and science-based education to provide recommendations rooted in validated scientific research.
“Every decision moving forward will be driven by data, peer-reviewed science, and verified field studies. We are building a new generation of experts scientifically equipped, technically sound, and deeply committed to safeguarding public health,” Kachollom said.
The Permanent Secretary issued a clarion call to all sectors of Nigeria’s food ecosystem, from researchers and academics to food producers and regulators to embrace innovation and collaboration in building a future-ready food safety culture.
“United in purpose and driven by science, we can forge a food safety landscape that is resilient, inclusive, and capable of supporting national development,” she added.
In her opening remarks, the Director, Food and Drug Services Department, Mrs. Olubunmi Aribeana, stressed that food safety must be a shared responsibility.
“From the farmer and processor to the retailer, transporter, and consumer, each of us has a role to play by adhering to standards rooted in scientific evidence,” Aribeana said.
She noted that improved food safety would not only protect public health but also boost local consumer confidence and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in global food trade.
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