Halal Authority certifies 100 firms, 300 products in 8yrs

Halal Certification Authority (HCA) said in just eight years of operation, it has certified over 100 companies and more than 300 products across Nigeria. The Chairman of HCA, Professor Ibrahim Oreagba who spoke during a community engagement event hosted by the Halal Certification Authority (HCA) stated that Nigeria currently does not have a government-recognised regulatory […]

Halal Certification Authority (HCA) said in just eight years of operation, it has certified over 100 companies and more than 300 products across Nigeria.

The Chairman of HCA, Professor Ibrahim Oreagba who spoke during a community engagement event hosted by the Halal Certification Authority (HCA) stated that Nigeria currently does not have a government-recognised regulatory body specifically overseeing the Halal industry.

He however noted that several private and state-recognised Halal certification bodies, including HCA, are actively working to fill the regulatory gap.

“For now, HCA is the leading Halal certification body in Nigeria. Because there’s no government-established regulatory body for Halal at the moment, we are seeking recognition from JAKIM, the Halal regulatory body in Malaysia,” he said, stressing “having a national regulatory authority would make our work much easier and more standardised.”

Oreagba revealed that in just eight years of operation, HCA has certified over 100 companies and more than 300 products across Nigeria.

According to him, “We focus on products. A company might produce several items, but they decide which ones they want certified. Certifying a product as Halal doesn’t mean the whole company is Halal. It applies specifically to those certified items.”

Despite the absence of a dedicated regulatory authority, the Chairman, who is also the National President of Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), said the Nigerian government is taking steps to develop a Halal infrastructure and establish a roadmap that could lead to the formation of a proper regulatory body.

“There’s a technical committee on the Halal roadmap set up by the federal government. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is also playing a key role,” he noted.

He disclosed that SON is currently working through various committees, particularly in the food sector, to ensure that any Halal certifications in Nigeria align with globally recognised standards.

 

Assistant Director in the Policy Division of Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), Muhammad Fahdi Bin Mohamed Sobri said Nigeria can gain from the global halal industry by embracing its lessons.

 

The session, held at the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque in Lagos brought together halal business operators and community leaders for a constructive exchange and enhancing Halal standards, certification processes, and promoting faith-based economic development.

 

Fahdi disclosed that Malaysia currently certifies over 3,000 companies through JAKIM, a figure he said reflects the country’s commitment to halal standards in food and other consumer goods.

 

He urged Nigerian regulators and industry stakeholders to adopt similar frameworks to strengthen consumer trust and industry compliance.

 

The senior official emphasised the significance of halal certification for all consumers and said the consumption of halal‑certified products must be understood beyond religious boundaries. “As Muslims, it is compulsory for us to consume what Allah has made lawful,” he explained, referencing the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

 

Muhammad Fahdi commended HCA for organising the forum and described his first visit to Lagos and indeed Africa as rewarding. He called on HCA to deepen engagement with the government, and ramp up training and re‑training for firms on halal certification standards.

 

Speaking on behalf of the host community, Dr. Ismail AbdusSalam, the first Vice Chairman of the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque represented by Engr. Abdul Hafeez Toriola, Chairman of the Mosque Community and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, praised the Halal Certification Authority (HCA) for its pioneering role in Nigeria’s halal certification space.

 

“HCA has taken giant strides in certifying organisations in food, beverages, and services, while providing halal-compliant solutions,” he said.