FG Inaugurates National Technical Working Group on Front-of-Pack Labelling to Curb NCDs

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The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare Daju Kachollom mni, represented by Dr. Dogara Okara Senior Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, delivering the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the Inauguration & Inception of the National Technical Working Group on Front - of- Pack Labelling programme - organized by the Food & Drug Services Department of Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare.
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare Daju Kachollom mni, represented by Dr. Dogara Okara Senior Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, delivering the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the Inauguration & Inception of the National Technical Working Group on Front - of- Pack Labelling programme - organized by the Food & Drug Services Department of Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare.

In a strategic move to curb the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has inaugurated the National Technical Working Group on Front-of-Pack Labelling (NTWG-FOPL). The group is tasked with designing labelling strategies that empower Nigerians to make healthier dietary choices.

Speaking at the inaugural workshop in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom mni, represented by Dr. Dogara Okara Senior Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, described the initiative as a milestone in implementing the 2023 National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its Implementation Plan.

“Today, we come together to pool our expertise and give voice to every Nigerian who deserves transparency and trust when choosing what to purchase and serve at their tables,” she stated.

Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) is a nutrition strategy that uses clear symbols, colors, and concise text displayed on food packaging to help consumers easily assess the nutritional quality of products.

Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, the Permanent Secretary noted that nearly 30% of deaths in Nigeria are attributed to NCDs such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory conditions, with 22% of these being premature deaths among individuals aged 30 to 69.

“These figures represent families burdened by medical expenses, parents anxious about their children’s health, and a nation held back by preventable illnesses,” she said. “FOPL empowers Nigerians to quickly identify foods high in salt, sugar, and trans fats, helping to reverse NCD trends.”

She emphasized that the FOPL initiative builds on the recent sodium reduction guidelines launched in March and the 2022 NAFDAC trans-fat elimination regulation, which aims to remove industrially produced trans fats from the food supply.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s and WHO’s commitment to the initiative, she urged the technical working group to develop solutions that will reach every corner of Nigeria, from Abuja to the most remote communities.

The NTWG-FOPL has been tasked with:
Developing national FOPL guidelines
Recommending labelling systems best suited for Nigeria
Reviewing and adapting global best practices
Validating a nutrient profiling model (NPM)
Designing public education campaigns
Aligning policy with national standards and regulations
Proposing a regulatory framework and,
Coordinating stakeholder engagement and monitoring implementation

In her welcome remarks, Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana Director Food & Drugs Services Department Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare represented by Pharmacist Olufowobi Adeola Director of Food Chemicals Cosmetics and Water Safety Division; asserted that the working group’s collaboration would enhance national capacity to ensure food safety and consumer awareness.

Speaking, Dr. John Atanda Director National Food Safety Programme FMoHSW highlighted that the new labelling system will guide consumers toward healthier choices, improving overall well-being.

Delivering a goodwill message, Dr. Pinda Wakama, WHO Technical Officer (Nutrition), applauded Nigeria’s leadership and stressed the need for consistent policies that make healthy and affordable food accessible to all. He noted that FOPL is a WHO recommended strategy for protecting children and adolescents from diet-related NCDs.

Also speaking, the Nigeria Country Coordinator for the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) emphasized that Nigerians deserve not just access to food labels, but the ability to understand them. She added that an evidence-based Nutrient Profiling Model coupled with a strong FOPL system is vital to achieving food safety in Nigeria.

Signed:

Alaba Balogun
Head, Information & Public Relations
19 July, 2025