In a significant step to tackle the rise in diet-related illnesses, the Nigerian government has officially adopted Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) to help Nigerians make healthier food choices and reduce the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The announcement was made on Wednesday in Abuja by Ms. Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, during the inauguration and inaugural workshop of the National Technical Working Committee on FOPL. Kachollom was represented by Dr Okara Dogara, Senior Technical Adviser.
She described the adoption of FOPL as a major milestone in the implementation of the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its 2023 Implementation Plan.
“We come together to pool our expertise and give voice to every Nigerian who deserves transparency and trust when choosing what to purchase and serve at their tables,” Kachollom stated.
NCDs: A Growing National Health Threat
Highlighting the increasing NCD burden, Kachollom said that nearly 30 per cent of all deaths in Nigeria are linked to diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses.
“For Nigerians aged 30 to 69, the risk of premature death from NCDs is 22 percent.
“These figures represent families burdened by medical costs, anxious parents, and a nation grappling with preventable illnesses,” she added.
She noted that Front-of-Pack Labelling, which uses simple symbols, colours, and brief texts, will enable consumers to make quick and informed dietary decisions.
“Whether it’s mothers in Kano identifying high salt content, students in Lagos avoiding trans fats, or fathers in Port Harcourt making informed choices, FOPL can save lives and ease pressure on our health system,” she said.
The initiative builds on earlier nutrition policies, including Nigeria’s Sodium Reduction Guidelines launched in March 2024 and NAFDAC’s trans-fat elimination regulations introduced in 2022.
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Support from Global Health Partners
Dr Pindar Wakawa, Technical Officer for Nutrition at WHO Nigeria, commended the commitment of stakeholders in promoting healthy food policies, noting that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development targets a one-third reduction in NCD-related premature deaths.
“Overconsumption of unhealthy foods drives obesity, hypertension, and high blood sugar — all key risk factors for NCDs,” he said.
He cited WHO’s 2018 country profile, which states that NCDs account for 29 per cent of all deaths in Nigeria, with cardiovascular disease responsible for 11 percent and cancer for 4 percent.
Wakawa added that WHO supports FOPL as one of the most effective interventions in tackling diet-related illnesses.
Call for Consumer Empowerment
Ms. Joy Amafah-Isaac, In-Country Coordinator for Food Policy and Nutrition at the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), stressed that Nigerians have a right to understand the content of their food.
“Promoting healthy diets has a direct impact on productivity and national well-being,” she said.
Committee’s Mandate and Next Steps
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the newly inaugurated National Technical Working Committee on FOPL is tasked with developing national guidelines, recommending a labelling system, and reviewing global best practices for local adaptation.
Other responsibilities include:
- Validating a nutrient profiling model
- Analysing local research on design elements such as colour and text
- Aligning the FOPL policy with existing national standards
- Proposing a regulatory roadmap
- Facilitating stakeholder consultations
- Designing public education campaigns
- Overseeing monitoring and evaluation during the pilot phase.