Malnutrition: FG, partners seek local solutions to strengthen food fortification

The Federal Government and key stakeholders have restated commitment to addressing Nigeria’s high burden of malnutrition through large-scale food fortification, with calls for urgent investment in local production of micronutrient premixes. Nigeria, according to health experts, is facing a triple burden of malnutrition, undernutrition and hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies, and rising overweight/obesity. Nutrition […]

The Federal Government and key stakeholders have restated commitment to addressing Nigeria’s high burden of malnutrition through large-scale food fortification, with calls for urgent investment in local production of micronutrient premixes.

Nigeria, according to health experts, is facing a triple burden of malnutrition, undernutrition and hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies, and rising overweight/obesity.

Nutrition experts said that food fortification remains one of the most cost-effective strategies to curb the challenge.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at Nutrition Roundtable meeting organised by the Nigeria Health Watch and its partners themed: “Fortifying Nigeria’s Future: Strengthening Nutrition Through Local Solutions”, the Director, Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, noted that since 1993, government in partnership with industry stakeholders has implemented mandatory fortification of food staples such as sugar, salt, vegetable oil, and flour.

She, however, expressed concern that more than two decades after, Nigeria still relies on imported premixes—micronutrients added to food to improve its quality—despite earlier agreements to build local capacity for production.

“Twenty years down the drain, we are still talking about low or inadequate local capacity to produce the premixes. That is not acceptable to government,” she said.

She said, “When we produce locally, the cost will reduce, and more Nigerians will have access to fortified foods.”

She explained that premixes typically contain essential micronutrients such as Vitamin A, iron, zinc, and iodine, which are needed in small quantities for healthy living.

“For instance, iodine fortification of salt prevents goitre, while Vitamin A fortification of vegetable oil helps maintain good eyesight”, she said.

According to her, one of the key recommendations from the roundtable is the need to accelerate capacity building for local premix producers to reduce dependence on imports.

She added that government has provided a conducive environment, including a national policy on food and nutrition as well as tax incentives for producers.

She further assured that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, operates an open-door policy and is committed to supporting local investors in the nutrition sector.

“If any local producer of premixes has any challenge, they should feel free to come to the ministry, particularly the Nutrition Department. We will make ourselves available to provide the needed support,” she said.

On its part, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) reaffirmed its commitment to reducing malnutrition in Nigeria through strict enforcement of mandatory food fortification standards.

Deputy Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Directorate of NAFDAC, Mrs. Anyanwu Felicitas, said the agency has continued to play a central role in ensuring that staple foods are fortified with essential micronutrients as part of efforts to combat the country’s high malnutrition burden.

Speaking on the sidelines of the roundtable on food fortification, Felicitas said the meeting highlighted several issues, including the need for capacity building, improved quality of premixes, functional laboratories for local testing, and incentives for producers.

“If these things are put in place, it will go a long way in reducing malnutrition in the country,” she said.

According to her, NAFDAC does not register any product under the category of mandatory staple foods unless it has been fortified.

She added that the agency conducts routine compliance monitoring to ensure manufacturers continue to meet standards even after initial registration.

“Most companies, after the first registration, do the right thing. But what happens afterwards? That is why we carry out routine monitoring to ensure standards are maintained,” she explained.

Felicitas stressed that effective collaboration among regulators, industry players, and stakeholders will be critical in changing Nigeria’s malnutrition narrative through large-scale food fortification.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, Dr Vivienne Ihekweazu represented by the Deputy Director, Advocacy and Partnership at the organisation, Safiya Shuaibu Isa, noted that Nigeria faces a severe malnutrition crisis that undermines health, education, and economic productivity.

She cited the country’s poor ranking of 110 out of 127 countries on the 2024 Global Hunger Index as evidence of the urgent need for coordinated action.

“Malnutrition in Nigeria is not just about insufficient calories. It is about hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies — a silent crisis that stunts growth, weakens immunity, diminishes learning capacity, and undermines economic progress,” she said.

She stressed that while food fortification remains a globally proven and cost-effective solution, Nigeria’s progress has been constrained by inconsistent compliance with fortification standards, particularly among Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

These enterprises, she explained, face challenges including limited access to affordable premixes, financing gaps, and weak quality assurance systems.

She said the roundtable aims to address these barriers by strengthening local production capacity, supporting MSMEs, and ensuring more rigorous enforcement of food fortification standards.

Also present were representatives of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Helen Keller International, the media, and other development partners.