Reps Step Down Bill to Ban Unbranded, Unfortified Edible Oils

The House of Representatives on Wednesday stepped down a bill seeking to prohibit the production, importation, distribution, sale and consumption of unbranded and unfortified edible oils following sharp disagreements among lawmakers over its potential impact on public health, rural livelihoods and existing regulatory agencies.

The bill, sponsored by the member representing Ehime/Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Chike Okafor, was listed for second reading but was deferred after lawmakers raised concerns, including the non-circulation of copies of the proposed legislation.

Leading the debate, Okafor said the bill was designed to address growing public health risks associated with the widespread consumption of unbranded and unfortified cooking oils in Nigeria.

He said about 67 per cent of Nigerians consume unbranded edible oils, while only 31 per cent of edible oils in the country are fortified.

Citing the World Health Organisation, he described food fortification as “a proven, cost-effective strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health.”

According to him, the bill seeks to prohibit the production, importation, distribution and sale of unbranded and unfortified edible oils, while promoting collaboration among research institutions, universities and state ministries to improve seedlings and establish cooking oil processing mills through public-private partnerships.

The proposed legislation also prescribes sanctions, including prison terms for offenders, while providing a transition period for producers and marketers to comply with the new requirements.

“This is a matter of life and death. It is a call to protect the health of Nigerians,” Okafor said.

Opposing the bill, the member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Hon. Paschal Agbodike, warned that the legislation could threaten the livelihoods of thousands of rural palm oil producers.

“This bill is not okay. Many of my people are into local palm oil production. We must be careful about the laws we make because the livelihood of people in rural communities is very important,” he said.

Also speaking, the member representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State, Hon. Gaza Gbefwi, argued that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control already has the statutory responsibility to regulate edible oils and other food products.

“I do not think we need to over-legislate. We already have NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. If there are gaps in the laws establishing these agencies, we should amend them instead,” he said.

Similarly, the member representing Epe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Hon. Wale Raji, cautioned against creating unnecessary legislation.

“NAFDAC already regulates food and drugs. We should review the existing laws because their mandate already covers what this bill seeks to achieve,” he said.

Supporting the proposal, however, the member representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency of Katsina State, Hon. Sada Soli, argued that the bill would strengthen, rather than duplicate, existing regulatory frameworks.

“The bill is mindful of NAFDAC. It seeks to improve the existing framework and is not against local palm oil production,” he said.

During the debate, the member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency of Edo State, Hon. Billy Osawaru, observed that many lawmakers had not received copies of the bill, making it difficult to scrutinise its provisions before debate.

He urged the House to allow members adequate time to study the proposed legislation.

Responding, Okafor appealed to the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, to step down the bill to allow wider circulation of copies and further consultations with stakeholders.

Kalu granted the request and deferred further consideration of the bill to a later legislative day.

The proposed legislation comes amid growing concerns over food safety and nutrition in Nigeria. Although mandatory food fortification programmes already exist under the supervision of NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, the continued circulation of unbranded and informally processed edible oils has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of existing food safety regulations.