The Federal Government has launched the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services, describing the initiative as a major policy aimed at promoting healthy diets, improving nutrition, preventing diet-related diseases and strengthening Nigeria’s food system.
The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr. Ado Bako.
Speaking at the launch held at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the Guidelines as a significant governance milestone that aligns public procurement with Nigeria’s health, nutrition and economic development priorities.
According to him, procurement should no longer be seen merely as a compliance exercise but as a strategic governance tool capable of improving health outcomes, strengthening human capital, boosting productivity and promoting sustainable national development.
Speaking on the theme, “Public Procurement of Food: Promoting a Culture of National Wellness Through the Food Value Chain,” Salako urged procurement officers, accounting officers, chief executives and heads of public institutions to recognise procurement as a strategic function with direct implications for public health, education, environmental sustainability and national development.
He said the initiative reflects the Tinubu administration’s whole-of-government approach to governance, stressing that improving public health requires close collaboration among the health, agriculture, nutrition, procurement and economic planning sectors.
Highlighting the growing burden of unhealthy diets, Salako said poor nutrition contributes to about 7.2 million deaths globally each year. He also noted that Nigerians consume an average of 3.9 grams of sodium daily, almost twice the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum of 2 grams per day, while excessive intake of industrial trans fats and sugar-sweetened beverages continues to drive rising cases of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes.
The minister noted that the Federal Government has already introduced key public health measures, including the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, Trans-Fatty Acid Regulation and the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax, to encourage healthier eating habits and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases.
Expressing concern over malnutrition, Salako said nearly half of deaths among children under five are linked to poor nutrition, while recent national survey findings indicate that about four in every 10 Nigerian children under five are stunted and nearly two million children suffer severe acute malnutrition annually.
He warned that malnutrition poses a serious threat not only to public health but also to Nigeria’s human capital, education, productivity and long-term economic growth.
Salako observed that as the country’s largest institutional purchaser of food and related services, government has a critical role in shaping healthier food environments, influencing consumer behaviour and encouraging producers and suppliers to provide safer and more nutritious food products.
He explained that the new Guidelines establish evidence-based standards for public food procurement by promoting balanced diets while limiting excessive sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats. The policy also reinforces existing national food safety, sodium reduction and trans-fat elimination initiatives.
The minister further stated that the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) recognises nutrition as a key determinant of health throughout life, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage extends beyond access to healthcare to creating healthier communities through preventive public policies.
He also highlighted ongoing procurement reforms such as MediPool, which is designed to improve transparency, strengthen supply chains, reduce fragmentation and expand equitable access to quality health commodities. According to him, the same strategic procurement principles are now being applied to nutrition through the newly launched Guidelines.
Salako stressed that the success of the policy will depend on effective implementation, continuous monitoring and measurable outcomes, expressing confidence that it will lead to healthier meals in schools, hospitals, correctional centres, military formations and other public institutions, ultimately improving the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.
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 their contributions to the development of the Guidelines, urging all stakeholders to work together to ensure their successful implementation.
