FG launches food procurement policy to improve nutrition, public health

The Federal Government has launched the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services as part of efforts to improve nutrition, promote healthier diets and reduce the growing burden of diet-related diseases through a new food procurement policy for public institutions.

Speaking at the official launch of the guidelines on Monday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said government procurement should no longer be seen merely as an administrative process but as a strategic policy instrument for improving public health, strengthening human capital and advancing sustainable national development.

Salako described the launch as a major governance milestone, noting that every public procurement decision reflects a national priority.

“Today’s event is far more than the unveiling of another policy document. It represents a significant governance milestone and demonstrates how public procurement can be deliberately harnessed to promote a culture of national wellness throughout the food value chain,” he said.

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He explained that the guidelines were developed in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the Constitution, which require government to manage public resources transparently while promoting the welfare and wellbeing of citizens.

According to the minister, the initiative reflects the Tinubu administration’s whole-of-government approach by integrating procurement policy, health, agriculture, nutrition and economic planning into a coordinated national response.

He commended the Bureau of Public Procurement, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Resolve to Save Lives, development partners and technical experts for contributing to the development of the guidelines.

Salako warned that unhealthy diets remain a major public health threat, citing World Health Organisation (WHO) data showing they contribute to approximately 7.2 million deaths globally each year.

He said Nigerians consume an average of 3.9 grams of sodium daily, nearly twice the WHO’s recommended maximum of two grams, while excessive intake of industrial trans fats and sugar-sweetened beverages continues to increase cases of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes.

The minister noted that the government had introduced measures such as the Trans-Fatty Acid Regulation and the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax to encourage healthier dietary habits and curb the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases.

He also highlighted the country’s nutrition challenges, stating that nearly four in every 10 Nigerian children under the age of five are stunted, while almost two million children suffer severe acute malnutrition annually.

“These are not merely health statistics. They represent profound human capital challenges with significant implications for educational attainment, labour productivity, household prosperity, national competitiveness and sustainable economic growth,” Salako said.

He stressed that government, as Nigeria’s largest institutional purchaser of food and related services, has the capacity to influence food production, processing and consumption patterns by setting higher nutritional standards.

“Government procurement must not merely respond to markets; it must help to shape them. When government demands healthier, safer and more nutritious food, it creates incentives for the entire food system to innovate, improve quality and align with higher public health standards,” he said.

Salako explained that the guidelines establish evidence-based standards for procuring food and related services, including limits on sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats, while encouraging balanced and nutritious diets.

He said the policy complements existing national initiatives such as the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, the Trans Fat Regulation and the 2023 National Policy on Food Safety and Quality.

The minister said the guidelines also support the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative by recognising nutrition as one of the most important determinants of health throughout life.

He added that the government’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage extends beyond expanding access to healthcare services to preventing diseases through healthier communities, institutions and public policies.

Salako further linked the initiative to broader procurement reforms in the health sector, including the Medipool programme, which he said is improving transparency, strengthening supply chains, reducing fragmentation and expanding equitable access to quality health commodities.

He urged procurement officers, accounting officers, chief executives and heads of public institutions to recognise procurement as a strategic governance function that delivers public value.

“Every procurement decision carries consequences that extend beyond financial transactions. It influences health outcomes, educational attainment, productivity, environmental sustainability and public confidence in government,” he said.

The minister emphasised that the effectiveness of the guidelines would depend on faithful implementation, continuous monitoring and regular evaluation.

“The true impact of today will be measured by healthier meals served in our schools, hospitals, correctional centres, military establishments and other public institutions, safer food environments, healthier food choices becoming the norm, and measurable.