The House of Representatives on Wednesday shelved plans to advance a bill that would prohibit the production, importation, sale and consumption of unlabelled and unfortified cooking oils. Lawmakers stepped back after raising concerns about its impact on public health, regulatory oversight and the survival of small-scale producers.
Chike Okafor, representing Ehime/Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency in Imo State, sponsored the legislation. The bill was slated for second reading when members demanded more time to review copies and debate its merits.
Opening discussions, Okafor stressed that Nigeria needed urgent action against health dangers linked to unfortified cooking oils. He pointed to data showing around 67 per cent of Nigerians consume unbranded edible oils, with only about 31 per cent of oils sold nationwide fortified.
The World Health Organisation confirmed that food fortification was "a proven, cost-effective strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health," Okafor said. His bill aimed to stop the manufacturing, importation, distribution and sale of edible oils lacking fortification or proper branding.
The proposal also sought collaboration between research institutes, universities and state governments to strengthen seed varieties and expand processing capacity through public-private partnerships. Violators would face jail time, though producers and sellers would get a grace period to meet new standards, he explained.
"This is a matter of life and death. It is a call to protect the health of Nigerians," Okafor said.
Opposition emerged swiftly from several quarters. Paschal Agbodike, who represents Ihiala Federal Constituency in Anambra State, warned the measure would harm thousands of rural residents depending on local palm oil production for income.
"This bill is not okay. Many of my people are into production of palm oil locally.
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," Agbodike told the chamber.
Gaza Gbefwi from Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency in Nasarawa State argued that Nigeria was over-legislating. Existing regulatory agencies already held the power to enforce food quality standards, he said.
"I do not think we need to over-legislate. Instead of trying to overdo things, we should strengthen existing laws and oversight.
We already have NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. If there are gaps in the Acts establishing these agencies, we can call for amendments," Gbefwi said.
Wale Raji, lawmaker for Epe Federal Constituency in Lagos State, echoed similar worries. He insisted the responsibilities outlined in Okafor's bill already fell within the mandate of regulatory bodies already in place, making fresh legislation unnecessary.
