House of Representatives Suspends Bill to Ban Unbranded and Unfortified Cooking Oils

The House of Representatives has stepped down a proposed bill seeking to prohibit the production, importation, distribution, sale and consumption of unbranded and unfortified edible oils in Nigeria after lawmakers raised concerns about its potential impact on public health, rural livelihoods and existing regulatory laws.

The bill, sponsored by Chike Okafor, who represents the Ehime/Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, was presented for second reading during Wednesday’s plenary. However, deliberations were suspended after several lawmakers questioned some of its provisions and noted that many members had not received copies of the proposed legislation for proper review.

Presenting the bill, Okafor said the legislation was designed to tackle the growing health risks associated with the widespread consumption of unbranded and unfortified cooking oils across Nigeria. He cited available data indicating that about 67 percent of Nigerians consume unbranded edible oils, while only 31 percent of edible oils in circulation are fortified with essential nutrients.

The lawmaker also referenced the World Health Organization’s position that food fortification is one of the most effective and affordable strategies for addressing micronutrient deficiencies and improving public health. According to him, the bill seeks to prohibit the production, importation and sale of edible oils that fail to meet branding and fortification standards while encouraging collaboration between research institutions, universities and state governments to improve local oil production through public-private partnerships.

The proposed legislation also includes penalties for violators, including possible prison terms, while providing a transition period for businesses and producers to comply with the new requirements.

Despite the public health objective of the bill, several lawmakers expressed concerns that the proposal could negatively affect thousands of small-scale palm oil producers who depend on local processing for their livelihoods.

Paschal Agbodike, representing Ihiala Federal Constituency in Anambra State, argued that many rural communities rely heavily on locally produced palm oil as a source of income and warned that the legislation could place unnecessary hardship on those producers.

Other lawmakers questioned whether a new law was necessary, pointing out that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) already has the legal authority to regulate food products, including edible oils.

Gaza Gbefwi, representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State, said the focus should instead be on strengthening existing regulatory institutions and improving oversight rather than introducing additional legislation. His position was supported by Wale Raji, representing Epe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, who also argued that NAFDAC’s existing mandate already covers food quality and safety.

However, Sada Soli, the lawmaker representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency of Katsina State, defended the bill, insisting that it was intended to strengthen the current regulatory framework rather than replace or duplicate NAFDAC’s responsibilities. He maintained that the proposal was not designed to discourage local palm oil production.

As the debate continued, Billy Osawaru, representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency of Edo State, pointed out that many lawmakers had not received copies of the bill, making it difficult for them to study its provisions before participating in the debate.

Following the concerns raised, sponsor Chike Okafor requested that the bill be stepped down to allow for broader consultations and wider circulation among members of the House. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, granted the request.

The proposed legislation comes amid ongoing discussions about food safety, nutrition and consumer protection in Nigeria. While health experts continue to advocate for the fortification of staple foods such as edible oils with essential nutrients like vitamin A, questions remain over how best to achieve that goal without disrupting the livelihoods of local producers or duplicating the responsibilities of existing regulatory agencies.