The entire food processing chain in Nigeria, from planting, harvesting and distribution is almost an all comers affair with little or no government supervision/regulation, therefore exposing consumers to avoidable risks including but not limited to food borne diseases.
VIDEO: A consumer showcasing contaminated noodles brand he recently brought from the market pic.twitter.com/kTaBUmUrdZ
— NewsClick Nigeria Media (@NewsClickng) February 24, 2026
With the nation’s population projected to hit 440 million by 2050, the need for a robust and effective food safety system cannot be overstated. A recent survey of major food markets in Lagos by the NewsClick Nigeria team showed Nigeria still has a long way to go in not just hygiene but supervision of the source, harvest and distribution channels of the food items. This medium gathered that the source of most perishable food and fruit supplies in open markets cannot be traced, therefore leading to accountability issues should consumers have complaints after consuming the supplies.
Foodborne diseases are a global issue, but in Nigeria, where informal food markets dominate and food regulation faces challenges, the stakes are particularly high. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), foodborne diseases disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries causing 420,000 deaths annually, with Africa bearing the highest burden. Nigeria specifically is known to have high prevalence of foodborne illnesses, such as salmonellosis, cholera, typhoid fever, and Listeria infections, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
The scale of the crisis is staggering. Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, while in office disclosed that an estimated 200,000 Nigerians die each year from foodborne illnesses linked to contaminated and adulterated food.
According to him, the Federal Government has resolved to clamp down on offenders.
“In the first quarter of 2025 alone, cholera claimed 378 lives, while Lassa fever infected over 3,500 Nigerians, with many cases linked to food contamination from rodents and poor hygiene. This must stop. This manual is a significant step towards ensuring it does. I reaffirm our resolve that food safety must be a right, not a privilege, a national priority, not an afterthought, and a shared responsibility, not an isolated burden. Anyone involved in food adulteration and contamination will face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The WHO further buttress this fact when it estimated that up to 10 million people in Nigeria suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, resulting in an economic burden of approximately N500 billion (approximately USD 1.3 billion) on the nation’s healthcare system. Furthermore, the impact of foodborne illnesses is not limited to human health alone. Food safety also has significant economic implications. Foodborne illnesses can result in losses to farmers, food processors, and retailers, negatively impacting the country’s agricultural output and economic growth. In fact, studies have shown that food safety is a major constraint to the growth of the Nigerian food industry, with estimates suggesting that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could be increased by up to 10 percent if food safety standards were improved.
Poorly maintained food markets
However, the food safety net does not begin and end with planting, harvesting and distribution. Findings by NewsClick Nigeria showed that in most cases, the major culprits are usually the unhygienic markets where the items are sold to end consumers.
From Mile 12 to Ile Epo, Ifelodun, Abattoir, Oshodi, Iyana-Ipaja, Odo Eran and other markets surveyed by NewsClick Nigeria team, one thing was common – they markets were almost mistaken for dump sites. Aside the welcoming oozing stench miles away from the markets, the bare ground were almost unwalkable and overtaken by coloured, dirty water coming from untraceable directions. Traders comfortably sit behind and around heaps of refuse dumps.
When one of our reporters who visited to buy certain items asked the sellers how they manage to transact in that kind of unhygienic environment, one blurted: ‘You either buy what you want to buy or leave. You think this is your living room where everything will be organized to perfection?’. Pressed further, the woman who later identified herself as ‘Mummy Mercy’ said even the traders are aware of the dangers of selling in that kind of market. According to her, while some make efforts to clean, others simply don’t care thus jeopardizing the efforts. She said the market leaders who are supposed to enforce discipline are also indifferent but the market only witness some hygienic compliance when officials of state agencies such the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) visits.
‘We are also aware of the danger selling in this kind of environment portends but most traders you see here hardly follow rules. While you’re trying to fix you own end of the market, others are dumping refuse at that same spot. It sometimes turn to fight that elected market officials help to settle. The only time people cooperate to clean the market is when KAI and LAWMA people visit. Sometimes they lock the market when it appears people don’t want to stick to the cleaning rules,’ she said.
While the Lagos State Government has not failed to regularly clampdown on unhygienic markets, however, more needs to be done guarantee consumer safety.
Consumers share ordeals
Some consumers who spoke to NewsClick Nigeria could not hide their disappointments at what they described as ‘unmanned’ food market operations in the country. One of the consumers who identified himself as Aduragbemi explained almost with a teary eye how he nearly ate a contaminated pack of noodles. Though he later got the contaminated one exchanged but the experience did not go down with him to the extent of boycotting the quick fix meal entirely.
‘I recently bought a contaminated noodles brand and I’m yet to recover from the trauma. Despite the expiry date still valid, the noodles was contaminated and appeared blackish in colour. I immediately took it to the vendor and she didn’t argue but went ahead to change the product,’ Aduragbemi said.
A food vendor selling at Ogba market on her part said she observes high level of personal hygiene and can’t prepare what she cannot consume herself.
‘Personally, I don’t sell things that I cannot eat by myself, even when I go to market, I smell, taste some of the consumables like garri and palm oil before buying. Though one cannot be 100 percent sure but I try my best when sourcing for my products.
She also noted that she travels as far as Ogun state to source her products, ensuring their quality and authenticity. Additionally, she stated that she procures packaged goods like semolina directly from the company.
She noted that her customers hardly complain because her goods are genuine. However, if there’s an issue with a packaged product, she ensures to contact the company immediately to provide feedback.
A fruit seller, Mrs Aisha said apart from sourcing directly from the farm, she ensures to wash and cover the fruits before displaying them for sale.
‘My products are very hygienic. I make sure to wash and properly cover the fruits before displaying them. I also keep them off the ground and away from flies or dust, so they stay clean and safe for customers. I buy directly from farmers who supply fresh produce every week. Before paying, I check for bruises or signs of spoilage to make sure everything is fresh and good for sale.’
She explained that for her, labeling isn’t necessary since her customers trust her sourcing from local farmers. Adding labels would increase costs. Instead, her customers rely on their trust in her and the product’s appearance.
She note that, “If anyone complains, I listen carefully and offer to replace the item or refund their money. I also check the rest of my stock to make sure there’s no problem with other items.’
What we’re doing to boost food safety system in Nigeria – FG
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s food safety system through a robust, science-driven strategy.
This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom while delivering a keynote address of the 2025 World Food Safety Day celebration in Abuja.
Speaking under the theme, “Food Safety: Science in Action,” Kachollom declared a new era of evidence-based food safety policy in Nigeria. She expressed “determined optimism” and underscored that science must no longer remain at the fringes of policy development but be the foundation upon which all regulatory and safety interventions are built.
“By harnessing cutting-edge research, risk assessment methodologies, and foodborne disease surveillance, we are building a resilient system that anticipates threats before they arise,” Kachollom stated. “This is not mere rhetoric. It is our blueprint for ensuring every meal in Nigeria is safe, healthy, and trustworthy.”
Continuing, the Permanent Secretary highlighted several milestone policies spearheaded by the Ministry, including the revised National Policy on Food Safety and Quality, the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, and the National Guideline for Food Handlers’ Medical Test. She noted that these policies have already begun to reshape food industry practices and public health outcomes.
“These guidelines have set new benchmarks for consumer protection and hygiene standards,” she said. “They are not ends in themselves but stepping stones toward a safer and more responsive food system.”
She announced plans to scale up digital traceability systems and strengthen laboratory testing protocols: tools she said will give regulators and industry actors real-time insights into safety lapses and enable faster, targeted interventions.
The Permanent Secretary gave special attention to the Ministry’s newly activated Technical Working Groups (TWGs), which she described as “the engine rooms of Nigeria’s food safety future.” These TWGs are working across critical focus areas including risk-based regulation, traceability, food inspection, and science-based education to provide technical recommendations grounded in validated research.
“Every decision moving forward will be driven by data, peer-reviewed science, and verified field studies. This is how we’ll preempt food safety risks and not merely react to crises,” she said.
Looking ahead, Kachollom revealed the Ministry’s plans to invest in specialised training programmes for regulators and food safety professionals across Nigeria.
“We are building a new generation of experts scientifically equipped, technically sound, and deeply committed to safeguarding public health,” she declared.
The Permanent Secretary further made it clear that the country’s food safety framework must evolve continuously to meet both emerging risks and the technological advancements reshaping global food systems.
In a stirring call to action, Kachollom charged all pillars of Nigeria’s food ecosystem to embrace their roles in the transformation:
Researchers must drive innovation in surveillance tools and risk modeling;
Academic institutions must nurture food safety experts through multidisciplinary training;
The food industry must invest in technologies that combine safety with nutrition;
Regulators must stay ahead by adapting policies in line with new scientific evidence.
“United in purpose and driven by science, we can forge a food safety landscape that is future-ready, resilient, and inclusive,” she said.
In her opening remarks, Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana, Director Food and Drug Services Department of the Ministry stressed the collective responsibility required to maintain food safety across the entire supply chain.
“Food safety is everyone’s business from the farmer and processor to the retailer, transporter, and consumer. Each of us has a role to play by adhering to standards rooted in scientific evidence,” she said.
Speaking, Dr. John Atanda, Director and National Coordinator, Food Safety and Quality Programme of the Ministry, provided a sobering insight into the global burden of foodborne diseases.
“Globally, 600 million people fall ill from unsafe food each year and, low-and middle-income countries bear the brunt of this burden with over $110 billion lost annually due to productivity loss and healthcare costs,” he said.