Nutrition experts have raised concern over the widespread consumption of unbranded, unfortified edible oils in Nigeria, warning that the practice poses significant health risks—especially to children and vulnerable populations.
Speaking in Lagos at a one-day media workshop for health editors, stakeholders in the nutrition sector urged the public to avoid bulk oils commonly sold in open markets, stressing that these products often lack essential nutrients and are sometimes adulterated.
The Workshop was organized by CS-SUNN in collaboration with eHealth Africa under the TPAC project with support from GAIN,
According to data from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, 67% of Nigerians consume unbranded edible oils, while only 31% of oils on the market are fortified—leaving a large nutritional gap that contributes to widespread micronutrient deficiencies, particularly Vitamin A deficiency.
Adetola Otunla, Project Coordinator for the Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) programme in Lagos, said unfortified oils, though seemingly affordable, pose long-term risks to public health.
“Vitamin A deficiency among over three million children has been significantly reduced through fortification efforts,” Otunla said.
“Yet, the continued prevalence of cheap, unbranded bulk oils threatens these gains.
Fortification is a cost-effective, scalable intervention that can improve health outcomes and reduce mortality, especially among children.”She added that the adoption of fortified foods also supports economic development by reducing the national healthcare burden and enhancing productivity.
Mr. Kunle Ishola, Senior Programmes Officer at the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), emphasized that food fortification must be embedded into national health strategies and delivered through coordinated public-private partnerships.
“Mandatory fortification policies are most effective when backed by government enforcement and supported by the private sector,” Ishola said.
“They should complement other nutrition interventions to tackle hidden hunger.”
Lilian Okafor, Senior Communications Officer at CS-SUNN, called on the media to play a stronger role in driving public awareness and shaping perception.“Micronutrient deficiency is a silent crisis.
Journalists have a responsibility to tell compelling, evidence-based stories that not only inform but inspire action,” she said.
Participants at the workshop called for stronger enforcement of food fortification policies and increased efforts to phase out unregulated bulk oil sales.
They urged regulatory bodies to step up monitoring and ensure fortified staples—such as oil, salt, rice, and flour—are readily available and accessible.
Stakeholders also reiterated that large-scale food fortification is not just a health initiative but a national development strategy that improves cognitive development in children, reduces healthcare costs, and enhances economic productivity.
The workshop underscored the need for cross-sector collaboration and media engagement in strengthening Nigeria’s food fortification efforts, with a particular focus on safeguarding children and vulnerable populations.