Abbas says proposed law must protect Nigerians from misleading dietary advice
Committee to consider stakeholders’ views before making recommendations
The House of Representatives has begun considering a bill to establish the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria, a proposed regulatory body aimed at strengthening professional standards, improving nutrition services and protecting Nigerians from harmful or misleading dietary advice.
The bill was examined at a public hearing in Abuja on Tuesday, where lawmakers, health experts and professional stakeholders discussed the need for a clear regulatory framework to promote accountability and ensure credible nutrition guidance.
Declaring the hearing open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the establishment of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security reflected the importance of nutrition to public health, education, healthcare costs and national productivity.
He urged stakeholders to make evidence-based contributions to the legislative process, stressing that the proposed law must address a clearly established need and provide for institutions capable of delivering measurable results.
“I urge all stakeholders to approach this hearing with candour, technical rigour and a shared commitment to national interest. Parliament must legislate with ambition, but also with prudence. A sound law must address a demonstrable need, establish workable institutions and provide a credible pathway from legislative intent to effective implementation,” Abbas said.
The Speaker warned that the success of the proposed legislation should not be judged merely by the establishment of another regulatory institution, but by its ability to improve professional competence and the quality of nutrition services available to Nigerians.
“Ultimately, the measure of this bill will not be the creation of another institution but whether it strengthens professional competence, protects Nigerians from harmful or misleading advice and improves the quality of nutrition services available to the public,” he said.
Abbas added that an effective regulatory framework could strengthen preventive healthcare, reduce avoidable health burdens and contribute to a healthier and more productive population.
The proposed council is expected to provide a formal structure for regulating nutrition practice, although its specific powers and responsibilities will depend on the provisions approved by the National Assembly.
The bill comes amid growing recognition of nutrition as a critical component of preventive healthcare, disease management and general well-being. Experts have consistently emphasised the importance of reliable dietary guidance in helping individuals make informed food choices and avoid potentially harmful health practices.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Chike Okafor, described the public hearing as an opportunity for citizens, professional bodies, health practitioners and other stakeholders to contribute to the proposed legislation.
He said the committee would consider submissions both for and against the bill before making recommendations to the House for further legislative consideration.
“As a committee, we have no bias or already decided opinion, but we will collate all opinions canvassed by you today, either for or against, before making our recommendation to the general House in plenary for consideration,” Okafor said.
He urged participants to view their contributions as an important part of the lawmaking process and an opportunity to advance national development.
“We aim for good laws, having known the consequences of bad ones,” he added.
The committee chairman commended Abbas for supporting the establishment of the Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, describing it as a significant development in the history of the National Assembly.
He said the Speaker’s presence at the hearing demonstrated the importance the House leadership attached to nutrition and food security.
The hearing also provided an opportunity for professional associations, nutrition practitioners and health experts to examine the proposed council’s mandate and recommend safeguards that could promote professional accountability and protect the public.
The committee is expected to review the submissions before presenting its recommendations to the House for further legislative action.
If passed into law, the bill would establish a dedicated council to oversee nutrition practice in Nigeria, with the proposed framework intended to promote professional standards and improve public access to credible, evidence-based nutrition services.
