Reps Move to Regulate Nutrition Profession, Seek Registration Council

…Aim to curb quackery, tackle malnutrition,food insecurity

By Gift Chapi Odekina, Abuja

The House of Representatives on Thursday considered a bill seeking to establish the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria to regulate the nutrition profession, curb quackery and strengthen the country’s response to malnutrition and food insecurity.

Leading the debate on the proposed legislation, the sponsor, Rep. Chike Okafor, described the bill as “a necessary legislative response to a ticking time bomb of malnutrition and food insecurity” threatening Nigeria’s development and the wellbeing of its citizens.

He said the proposed council would regulate, control and standardise the practice of nutrition in Nigeria while protecting the public from unqualified practitioners.

According to Okafor, the title “Nutritionist” is currently not legally protected in Nigeria, creating room for quackery and what he termed the “balkanisation of the profession.”

“The bill is the necessary legislative response to close that gap and protect the public from unqualified practitioners. By regulating the nutrition profession, we will ensure that Nigerians can distinguish between a clinically trained dietitian for disease management and a nutritionist focused on general nutrition value chains and public wellness,” he said.

The lawmaker clarified that the proposed legislation does not conflict with the Dietitians Council Bill, stressing that both professions perform complementary but distinct functions.

He explained that while dietitians provide clinical nutrition services for the treatment of diet-related diseases such as diabetes and kidney disease, nutritionists are primarily responsible for community and public health nutrition, maternal and child nutrition, nutrition policy, research and programme implementation.

Okafor expressed concern over worsening malnutrition indicators in the country, citing findings from the 2023/2024 National Demographic Health Survey, which showed rising cases of child malnutrition, stunting and maternal anaemia.

He noted that despite billions of naira invested in nutrition interventions, including the $232 million Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) programme, the country continues to record poor outcomes.

According to him, there is a disconnect between accountability, resource allocation and policy implementation due to the absence of a regulatory framework for the nutrition profession.

The bill proposes the establishment of a public register for nutritionists and nutrition assistants, sets educational and training standards, provides for the registration and licensing of practitioners and creates disciplinary mechanisms to investigate and sanction professional misconduct.

Okafor said the council would also collaborate with federal and state health authorities, the National Universities Commission and international partners to promote nutrition education and sustainable food systems.

He assured lawmakers that the proposed council would be self-funding, similar to other professional regulatory bodies in the country.

The lawmaker argued that regulating the profession would ensure the effective deployment of qualified nutritionists in hospitals, primary healthcare centres, correctional facilities and schools, while promoting scientific approaches to nutrition and food systems.

Describing the bill as “a vital tool for public health protection,” Okafor urged his colleagues to support its passage.
“This bill is a necessary instrument to professionalise the nutrition workforce, protect public health and ensure accountability for the massive investments in nutrition. It is about safeguarding our future by ensuring Nigerians have access to the best possible advice on what to eat for optimum health,” he said.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria to oversee the regulation, registration, licensing and professional development of nutrition practitioners across the country.