The Nigerian Government has launched the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services to promote healthier diets, improve nutrition, and strengthen food systems across public institutions in Nigeria.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako unveiled the guidelines in Abuja, describing them as a transformative policy that will reposition public procurement as a strategic tool for improving nutrition, preventing diseases, and supporting sustainable national development.
He said government food procurement should go beyond meeting administrative requirements and instead encourage healthier food choices.
- READ ALSO: Nigeria Targets Safer Food, Healthier Diets
Dr Salako noted that unhealthy diets contribute to an estimated 7.2 million deaths globally each year. He added that Nigerians consume an average of 3.9 grams of sodium daily, nearly double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 2 grams.p
According to him, excessive consumption of salt, industrial trans fats and sugar-sweetened beverages is fuelling the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes in the country.
The minister also expressed concern over Nigeria’s malnutrition challenge, revealing that nearly half of deaths among children under the age of five are linked to malnutrition.
He said about four in every 10 Nigerian children under five are stunted, while nearly two million children suffer severe acute malnutrition annually, warning that the situation threatens the country’s human capital, educational outcomes and economic productivity.
Dr Salako explained that the new guidelines provide evidence-based standards for food procurement across public institutions by promoting balanced diets and limiting sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats.
He said the policy complements existing government measures, including the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, the Trans-Fatty Acid Regulation and the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax.
“Government procurement should not merely respond to market trends but actively shape them by demanding healthier, safer and more nutritious foods,” he said.
The minister added that the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative and the Tinubu administration’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage by promoting preventive healthcare alongside access to quality medical services.
He also said the guidelines support ongoing procurement reforms, including MediPool, aimed at improving transparency, strengthening supply chains and expanding access to quality health commodities.
Dr Salako urged procurement and accounting officers, as well as heads of public institutions, to faithfully implement the guidelines, stressing that their success would be reflected in healthier meals served in schools, hospitals, correctional centres, military formations, and other government institutions.
He also commended the Bureau of Public Procurement and development partners for supporting the development of the guidelines.
