US-based Nigerian food scientist Odeniran urges overhaul of Nigeria’s nutrition education

A Nigerian food scientist and public health nutritionist based in the United States, Oluwasanmi Moses Odeniran, has called for a total overhaul of the food and nutrition education system in Nigeria, citing rising public health concerns and worsening food safety standards.

Odeniran, a recipient of the prestigious Cureus Laureate Award and a Quality Development Associate at Ardent Mills, the largest milling company in the US, warned that Nigeria’s continued neglect of nutrition literacy and food safety would worsen its burden of malnutrition, foodborne illnesses, and preventable diseases.

Speaking in a virtual media briefing, Odeniran decried the lack of structured food science content in school curricula and insufficient training for food vendors. “We are failing to educate the next generation on the basic science of nutrition,” he said. “If we don’t integrate these subjects early on, we are setting ourselves up for long-term public health disasters.”

The scientist identified critical gaps, including the declining enrollment in food science programs in Nigerian universities and poor investment in food safety education. “Young people are losing interest in this field because the system does not value or promote it,” he said. “We need urgent curriculum reforms and increased funding for nutrition-focused research.”

To tackle the growing crisis, Odeniran proposed a nationwide food and nutrition literacy campaign. He recommended integrating nutrition education into teacher training and secondary school syllabi, while also training local food vendors on hygiene and safety practices. “These vendors are feeding millions daily. If they’re not educated, we’re all at risk,” he stated.

Odeniran’s own research has gained global recognition, particularly his work on alternative protein sources and noninvasive technologies for anemia detection. He has also studied indigenous crops such as Bambara groundnut, which he believes could combat malnutrition if properly invested in. “It’s a crop with high resilience and nutritional value. We must look inward for solutions,” he noted.

He further advocated for stronger collaboration between government agencies and professional bodies. “The Ministries of Education, Health, and Agriculture, alongside NAFDAC and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, must work together to implement evidence-based policies,” Odeniran said. “We cannot continue operating in silos.”

Calling for public-private partnerships, he urged companies and philanthropic institutions to fund scholarships and grassroots campaigns. “Nigeria has the talent and natural resources,” he stressed. “What we lack is the policy backing and structured systems to empower our scientists and health professionals.”

“Food is more than just a survival need,” Odeniran concluded. “It is medicine, it is economy, and it is security. We must start treating it as such if we truly want to build a resilient and healthy nation.”

Odeniran’s appeal goes beyond immediate policy changes—it is a vision to build a foundation for long-term national development through food education, research, and innovation. His voice adds to growing calls from experts urging Nigeria to prioritise health through reform-driven leadership.