The House of Representatives has deferred consideration of a bill seeking to prohibit the production, importation, distribution, sale and consumption of unbranded and unfortified edible oils in Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by Chike Okafor, who represents Ehime/Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, was brought before the House for second reading on Wednesday.
However, lawmakers stepped down the proposed legislation after concerns were raised about its possible consequences for small-scale producers, the adequacy of existing regulatory agencies and the limited circulation of copies of the bill among members.
Presenting the bill, Okafor said the legislation was aimed at tackling health risks linked to the widespread consumption of edible oils that are neither properly branded nor fortified.
He claimed that approximately 67 per cent of Nigerians consume unbranded edible oils, while only about 31 per cent of edible oils in circulation are fortified.
The lawmaker cited the World Health Organisation’s position that food fortification is “a proven, cost-effective strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health.”
Under the proposed law, the production, importation, distribution and sale of unbranded and unfortified edible oils would be prohibited. It would also promote collaboration between research institutions, universities and state ministries to improve oil-producing seedlings and establish processing facilities through public-private partnerships.
The bill further proposes sanctions for violators, including imprisonment, while providing a transition period for existing businesses to meet the new requirements.
Defending the proposal, Okafor said, “This is a matter of life and death. It is a call to protect the health of Nigerians.”
However, several lawmakers expressed reservations about the proposed ban, particularly its potential effect on rural communities whose livelihoods depend on locally produced palm oil.
Paschal Agbodike, representing Ihiala Federal Constituency of Anambra State, urged caution, warning that the legislation could negatively affect local producers.
“We must be careful about the laws we are trying to make because the livelihood of people in the rural areas, like my people, is very important,” he said.
Gaza Gbefwi, representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State, questioned the need for a new law, noting that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria already have regulatory responsibilities over food products.
“I do not think we need to over-legislate. Instead of trying to overdo things, we should strengthen existing laws and oversight,” Gbefwi said.
He suggested that lawmakers should consider amending the existing laws governing the relevant regulatory agencies if loopholes were identified.
Wale Raji, representing Epe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, also argued against creating additional legislation where existing regulatory frameworks could be strengthened.
“NAFDAC is already regulating food and drugs. Let us look at the laws establishing NAFDAC, because their mandate already covers what this bill is trying to achieve,” he said.
However, Sada Soli, representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency of Katsina State, supported the bill, arguing that it would complement the work of existing regulatory bodies rather than undermine them.
“This legislation is trying to improve an existing framework, and this is not harmful. This bill is not against the local production of palm oil,” Soli said.
The debate was further complicated by concerns raised by Billy Osawaru, representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency of Edo State, who observed that some lawmakers had not received copies of the proposed legislation.
He argued that members needed adequate time to study the bill before taking a position on its provisions.
Following the concerns raised during the debate, Okafor appealed to Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, to defer further consideration of the bill.
He said the additional time would allow lawmakers to obtain copies of the proposed legislation and enable wider consultations on the issues raised.
The Deputy Speaker subsequently granted the request, effectively stepping down the bill for consideration on another legislative day.
The proposed legislation comes against the backdrop of continuing concerns about food safety and micronutrient deficiencies in Nigeria.
While health experts have encouraged the fortification of commonly consumed food products with essential nutrients, particularly vitamin A, questions remain about the enforcement of existing food safety regulations.
NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria are among the agencies responsible for regulating food safety, quality and standards, but the continued sale of informally processed and unbranded edible oils in markets has raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing enforcement mechanisms.
