DIRETOR-GENERAL of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, has blamed widespread ignorance and poor access to information for gaps in food safety awareness among Nigerians.
Adeyeye said many consumers do not read or fully understand the safety information and guidelines provided on food products, while farmers and other participants in the food chain also require greater education on safe agricultural practices.
She spoke in an interview with BusinessDay published on Monday. According to the NAFDAC chief, food safety regulation involves several government institutions, with responsibilities divided across different stages of the food production and distribution process.
“From farm to fork, there are many organisations involved. There are many agencies involved,” she said.
Adeyeye explained that NAFDAC’s mandate primarily covers processed and semi-processed foods, rather than fresh agricultural produce.
She said the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for fresh produce sold in markets.
“So the oranges you buy in the market, we don’t control it,” she said.
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NAFDAC explains pesticide role
Adeyeye said NAFDAC becomes involved where pesticides are concerned because the agency regulates and controls pesticide products.
She said NAFDAC works with the agriculture ministry to educate farmers on the proper application of pesticides and the required interval between treatment and harvesting.
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The agency’s Veterinary and Allied Products Directorate also provides training to farmers and other stakeholders on pesticide use, she added.
However, Adeyeye said NAFDAC does not have the capacity to personally reach every farmer in the country.
“We cannot go to one million farmers in Nigeria, NAFDAC cannot do that,” she said, arguing that the agriculture ministry should take the lead in educating farmers while NAFDAC provides regulatory support.
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Consumers urged to pay greater attention
Adeyeye also pointed to consumer awareness as another weak link in the food safety chain. She said Nigerians often fail to read or understand information provided on food products, limiting the effectiveness of safety guidance and regulatory measures.
The NAFDAC DG linked the problem partly to Nigeria’s high level of illiteracy, saying about 56 percent of the population is illiterate.
“Sometimes, our people don’t understand,” she said. The comments come amid continued concerns over counterfeit and substandard products in the Nigerian market.
In September, NAFDAC said it received 225 complaints relating to suspected counterfeit products in August.
Adeyeye said the agency receives more than 200 complaints from members of the public through its reporting channels in a typical month.
She described the complaints as an important source of information for identifying suspected counterfeit products and initiating investigations.
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The agency’s position suggests that improving food safety in Nigeria will require more than regulatory enforcement, with greater public awareness, farmer education and clearer coordination among government agencies also needed to reduce risks from production to consumption.
