By Mercy Gadia
The Federal Government on Monday unveiled the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services as part of efforts to promote healthy diets, strengthen food systems and improve public health outcomes across the country.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the guidelines would reposition government procurement as a strategic tool for advancing nutrition, preventing diseases and supporting national development.
Salako spoke at the official launch of the policy held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, where he described the initiative as a major governance milestone aligned with Nigeria’s health, nutrition and economic priorities.
According to him, public procurement must no longer be treated as a routine administrative process but as a critical policy instrument capable of shaping healthier food systems and improving citizens’ wellbeing.
“Every public procurement decision reflects a national priority. It should not be seen merely as a compliance exercise, but as a strategic tool for improving health outcomes, strengthening human capital and stimulating economic growth,” he said.
The minister noted that the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s whole-of-government approach under President Bola Tinubu, stressing that improving health outcomes requires collaboration across sectors such as agriculture, procurement, nutrition and economic planning.
Salako raised concerns over the rising burden of diet-related diseases, revealing that unhealthy diets account for about 7.2 million deaths globally each year.
He added that Nigerians consume an average of 3.9 grams of sodium daily, almost double the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit of 2 grams per day, warning that excessive intake of salt, industrial trans fats and sugar-sweetened beverages is driving cases of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes.
He explained that the government had already introduced measures such as the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, Trans-Fatty Acid Regulation and the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax to address unhealthy consumption patterns.
On malnutrition, the minister said nearly half of deaths among children under five in Nigeria are linked to poor nutrition, adding that about four in every 10 children are stunted while close to two million suffer from severe acute malnutrition annually.
“These figures are not just a health concern; they pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s human capital development, productivity and long-term economic growth,” he stated.
Salako further noted that as the largest institutional buyer of food, government has a major role in shaping food environments and influencing healthier consumption patterns.
He said the new guidelines set evidence-based standards for balanced diets while limiting sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats in publicly procured meals.
“The government must not only respond to market trends but actively shape them by demanding healthier and safer food options,” he added.
The minister said the policy aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative and supports the administration’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage through preventive healthcare measures.
He also highlighted ongoing procurement reforms such as MediPool, which aim to improve transparency, reduce fragmentation and ensure equitable access to quality health commodities.
Salako urged procurement officers and institutional heads across government to treat procurement as a strategic governance function with direct impact on public health and national development.
He emphasised that the success of the guidelines would depend on effective implementation and monitoring, noting that their impact would be measured by improvements in the quality of meals served in schools, hospitals and other public institutions.