Launch of Technical Working Groups and Pilot on Good Regulatory Practices
In June 2024, FAEA, in collaboration with partners including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FAEA, the University of Missouri’s Africa Food Safety Initiative (AFSI), and the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), convened the "Food and Feed Safety Expertise Coordination Workshop" in Abuja, Nigeria. This significant event marked a pivotal step in modernizing Nigeria's food and feed safety systems.
Launching the Technical Working Groups
Despite the National Food Safety and Quality Bill not yet being enacted into law, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare endorsed the recommendations and efforts from FAEA workshops in 2022 and 2023. This endorsement included the formation and activation of TWGs, which were officially launched in June 2024 during World Food Safety Day and launch of the policy. The TWGs are focused on four key areas:
1. Risk-Based Regulations and Risk Analysis
2. Food Inspection
3. Traceability and Supporting Technologies
4. Education and Research
The establishment of these TWGs marks a significant step forward in enhancing stakeholder capacity across the food supply chain, with the goal of improving public health and expanding market access for Nigeria's agricultural products.
Piloting the Good Regulatory Practices Toolkit
Coinciding with the launch of the TWGs, FAEA also supported piloting the USDA's Good Regulatory Practices toolkit. Developed in collaboration with Texas A&M University and New Markets Lab, the toolkit is designed to guide regulators in aligning their processes with internationally recognized standards and improving the quality of regulations. Participants were split into groups to test the toolkit on existing regulations, providing valuable feedback for future improvements.
The TWGs and the Good Regulatory Practices toolkit pilot represent a collaborative effort to address the challenges faced by Nigeria's food and feed safety systems. These initiatives aim to foster a consultative process, offering scientifically driven solutions to enhance food safety management. The next steps for the GRP toolkit involve refining the tool based on feedback from the pilot in Nigeria, followed by further testing in Ghana and Zambia, with the aim of publishing a final version to assist regulators in implementing Good Regulatory Practices for SPS measures.
Nigeria Launches New National Policy on Food Safety and Quality
Nigeria has launched its revised National Policy on Food Safety and Quality, marking a key step in enhancing national food safety standards. The policy, rooted in a "One Health" approach, focuses on risk analysis, tackling emerging food chain contaminants, and establishing an integrated food-borne disease surveillance system.
The launch of these initiatives underscores Nigeria's commitment to improving its food safety standards, aligning with global best practices, and ensuring a safer food future for all its citizens. As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of its food safety landscape, the efforts of FAEA and its partners are paving the way for sustainable progress and economic growth in the agricultural sector.
Through ongoing collaboration and innovation, Nigeria is poised to become a leader in food safety, setting an example for other nations in the region and beyond. The journey is far from over, but with the groundwork laid and the right partnerships in place, the future of food safety in Nigeria looks promising.