ABUJA — The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a Bill for an Act to establish the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria, a move aimed at professionalising the sector and curbing the rising tide of malnutrition in the country.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Hon. Chike Okafor, seeks to stem the tide of what the lawmaker described as a “ticking time bomb” threatening Nigeria’s human capital development and national wellbeing.
Leading the debate at the plenary, Hon. Okafor expressed deep concern over the persistent indicators of malnutrition in the country despite substantial financial investments in the sector. He specifically pointed to the N232 million Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project, noting that its impact remains inadequate in the face of worsening statistics.
Citing the 2023/2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the lawmaker highlighted the alarming rise in cases of child stunting and maternal anaemia. He attributed these poor health outcomes to the lack of a regulatory framework to guide nutrition practice in Nigeria.
“The absence of regulation has allowed for quackery in the profession, undermining the significant resources poured into the health sector. We must ensure that those managing the nutritional health of our citizens are qualified, registered, and held accountable,” he stated.
According to the bill, once enacted, the proposed Council will be responsible for:
Establishing a public register for all qualified nutritionists and nutrition assistants.
Accrediting and approving training institutions to ensure standard curriculum delivery.
Setting up disciplinary panels to checkmate misconduct and ensure adherence to professional ethics.
Hon. Okafor emphasised that the Council’s mandate would prioritise community and public health nutrition, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based and effective at the grassroots level.
Following the deliberation, the bill was committed to the relevant committee for further legislative action.
