Nigerian lawmakers worry over 53,000 annual deaths linked to unsafe food

Nigerian lawmakers have raised alarms over the alarming number of deaths linked to unsafe food, warning that nearly 53,000 people die each year due to foodborne illnesses. During a session of the House of Representatives, members called for immediate action to bolster the nation's food safety framework. The discussion came after a motion of urgent public interest was introduced by Billy Osawaru, representing the All Progressives Congress in Edo state. The lawmakers emphasized the need for stronger oversight and improved conditions throughout the food supply chain. The motion highlighted that Nigeria experiences around 50 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually, with over 53,000 fatalities attributed to unsafe food practices. These numbers were drawn from data cited by the World Health Organization, which noted that unsafe food leads to roughly 866 million illnesses worldwide each year, affecting one in every nine individuals. The WHO also reported that approximately 1.5 million deaths occur annually due to food-related issues, with Africa experiencing the highest toll. Osawaru pointed out that while Nigeria has made strides in enhancing its food safety mechanisms, achieving a Level Three rating in the WHO 2025 State Party Annual Report, it still faces critical challenges. He identified poor hygiene among food workers, chemical contamination, open defecation, lack of clean water, and insufficient regulatory enforcement as key obstacles. These issues contribute to widespread exposure to contaminated food, causing preventable sicknesses and deaths. The lawmaker underscored that the consequences extend beyond health, impacting the economy significantly. According to his remarks, Nigeria incurs an estimated loss of $3.6 billion yearly due to decreased productivity, medical expenses, and trade barriers stemming from substandard food safety protocols. Additionally, he tied recurring cholera outbreaks in multiple states to contaminated food and water, pointing to deficiencies in sanitation and water infrastructure. The motion was supported by Awaji-Inombek Abiante, who represented Rivers state. The House adopted the motion without further discussion, directing the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to enhance national surveillance, conduct regular inspections, and implement rigorous certification procedures along the entire food production and distribution network. Lawmakers also tasked the House Committees on Healthcare Services and Food Safety and Nutrition with collaborating with NAFDAC, NCDC, SON, and other pertinent bodies to secure funding for acquiring advanced food-testing equipment in upcoming budget allocations. They were instructed to prioritize the training and certification of food handlers nationwide and assess current gaps in food safety practices. The discussions reflect growing concern over the ongoing impact of unsafe food on public health and economic stability. As the House moves forward with implementing these directives, the focus will remain on addressing systemic flaws within the food safety landscape and ensuring that preventive measures are effectively enforced to protect the population.