Food safety -

Food Safety Regulations Overview

Introduction To Food Safety Regulations

Country Introduction

Introduction

The
agricultural sector in Nigeria plays a vital role in the country’s
socio-economic development, serving as a major employer of labour. It is
characterized by a small number of large-scale, modern multinational food
enterprises alongside numerous small-scale operators who often lack the
resources to adopt and implement global best practices in food safety and
standards. The majority of Nigeria’s rural population engage in smallholder
farming, artisanal food processing, and other informal non-farm activities that
form the backbone of the rural economy, with smallholder farmers responsible
for producing about 70% of the nation’s food supply[1].

This informal food sector and its associated
activities play a vital role in providing affordable and accessible food,
especially for low-income populations in many low- and middle-income countries
(LMICs). However, it also poses major food safety challenges due to exposure to
hazards, limited awareness, inadequate infrastructure, and weak regulatory
oversight. As a result, informal markets are significant sources of foodborne
diseases[2].

To improve public health and economic stability (via
enhancing competitiveness of Nigerian food products in local, regional, and
global markets), the Federal Government of Nigeria, launched the National
Policy on Food Safety and Its Implementation Strategy (NPFSIS) in 2015. Developed
by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW) and partners, it was reviewed, updated
in 2023 and launched on World Food Safety Day 7 June 2024, as National Policy
on Food Safety and Quality and Its Implementation Plan (NPFSQIP). This updated
policy establishes a coordinated, risk-based, and One Health–aligned approach
to food safety, emphasizing effective institutional collaboration and
compliance with global best practices. It also acknowledges the vital role of
both formal and informal food sectors, including street food vendors,
traditional markets, and small-scale processors, as key contributors to food
security, employment generation, and public health protection in Nigeria.

The Food Safety and Quality Bill (2019) was drafted and
endorsed by stakeholders as a comprehensive legislative framework to harmonize
regulatory functions under a single national food safety law. The bill was
approved by the government and transmitted to the National Assembly (NASS) for
legislative action in January 2019 and was officially given its first reading
on 11^th of July 2019. However, it’s legislative processes is yet to
be accented to by Mr. President. When passed into law, it will provide the
required legal framework.

Nigeria currently operates a multiple agency food safety
system with responsibilities split across seven national agencies that focus on
different sectors, such as Health, Agriculture, Food Industry, Environment and
Trade, as well as State and Local governments.

Core regulatory and standard-setting institutions:

Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW): The Ministry derives its legal
mandate in food safety under the Constitution and various laws such as the
National Health Act 2014, the Food and Drug Act 1974, and others implementing
these acts through the design of policies, programs, and strategies on food
safety at all stages of the food supply chain including water and chemical
safety. It also provides overall leadership on food safety policy, public
health protection, and coordination of inter-ministerial food safety
activities. Presently, the Ministry chairs the National Food Safety Management
Committee (NFSMC) and on a rotational basis, chairs the National Codex
Committee (NCC) with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The
regulatory/implementation arms of the Ministry whose roles and responsibilities
related to food safety include:

National
Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC): This is an agency within the FMHSW. It regulates and controls the
manufacture, importation, distribution, advertisement, and sale of food
products. NAFDAC also develops food hygiene and safety regulations, conducts
inspections, and enforces compliance. NAFDAC was restructured in April 2013,
creating the Directorate of Food Safety & Applied Nutrition to further
strengthen the capacity for food control activities and enhance professionalism.
Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and
Investment (FMITI): The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment was
restructured in 2011 with the responsibility of facilitating food trade,
stimulating domestic investment, attracting foreign direct investment, and
industrial development. The Ministry also establishes and implements trade
policies that maximise the benefits of international trade and accelerate the
growth of the industrial sector for enhanced productivity that will boost the
development of Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (NMSME) for economic
growth.

The
regulatory/implementing arm of the Ministry concerning food safety includes:

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON)
is an agency within the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
SON develops
national food and product standards, including specifications for packaging,
additives, contaminants, and manufacturing practices. SON works closely with
NAFDAC. Both SON and NAFDAC are members of the National Codex Committee which
works closely with the Codex Alimentarius Commission to harmonize standards.
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
(FMAFS)
(formerly FMARD): Oversees food safety “at source”, covering primary
production, pesticide regulation, and post-harvest handling.
Federal Ministry of Livestock Development
(FMLD): The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) was established on
July 9, 2024, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to transform Nigeria’s livestock
sector into a sustainable and globally competitive industry. With a mandate to
enhance livestock productivity, ensure food security, and drive economic
growth, the Ministry plays a
vital role in ensuring food safety within the animal-source food value chain by
promoting good animal health, hygiene, and slaughter practices. It works to
prevent zoonotic diseases, enforce sanitary standards, and improve the safety
and quality of meat, milk, and other livestock products. The Ministry also
collaborates with other
relevant regulatory agencies to align livestock production and processing with national and
international food safety standards.
Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS):
The NAQS was established in 2018 through
the enactment of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (Establishment)
Act, 2018, under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).
It serves as the single regulatory agency responsible for controlling and
preventing the introduction, establishment, and spread of plant pests, animal
diseases, and aquatic pathogens that could threaten Nigeria’s agriculture, food
safety, and biodiversity. NAQS aligns with international conventions such as
the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the Codex Alimentarius
Commission (CAC) to ensure Nigeria’s compliance with global sanitary and
phytosanitary (SPS) standards in agricultural trade.

The regulatory/implementing arm of
the Ministry concerning food safety includes:

Regulatory Divisions Under NAQ

Plant Quarantine Division (formerly NPQS): Responsible for
preventing the introduction and spread of harmful plant pests and diseases. It
regulates the import and export of plants and plant products, conducts
inspections and treatments, and ensures compliance with IPPC standards.
Animal Quarantine Division: Regulates the importation and
exportation of live animals and animal products to prevent the spread of
transboundary animal diseases. It enforces OIE sanitary standards, conducts
border inspections, and issues health certificates.
Aquatic Quarantine Division: Focuses on controlling aquatic animal
diseases and preventing the introduction of harmful aquatic organisms that
could threaten fisheries, aquaculture, or public health.
Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv): FMEnv
ensures effective coordination of all environmental matters and adequate
mainstreaming into all development activities. FMEnv is also focused on
evolving innovations with an emphasis on the use of environmental
re-engineering as a tool for ensuring food security as a way of sustainable
economic development for Nigerians.
The Federal Ministry of Education (FMEdu): This
is the Government institution responsible for fostering and maintaining uniform
standards of education throughout the Country. FMEdu is responsible for
developing curricula and syllabuses at the National Level including controlling
and monitoring the quality of education across the Country and harmonizing
educational policies and procedures in all the States of the Federation.
Federal Ministry of Water Resources and
Sanitation (FMWR&S): The mandate of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources
and Sanitation (FMWR&S) is to develop and implement policies, projects, and
programs that will enable access to quality and sufficient water to meet the
cultural, social, environmental, and economic development needs of all
Nigerians.

Beyond the core regulatory
agencies directly responsible for food safety control and enforcement, several
other ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) contribute technical expertise,
consumer protection, public health surveillance, research support, and trade
facilitation functions that indirectly enhance food safety systems in Nigeria.

These supporting institutions
include:

Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (FMIST): Provides
scientific research, technological innovation, and development support for food
safety policies and programs. The Ministry promotes the adoption of innovative
technologies for food processing, preservation, and handling to improve quality
and safety across the value chain.
National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA): Supports
community health and hygiene education through primary health care structures,
promoting awareness of safe food handling, nutrition, and hygiene practices at
the grassroots level.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC): Monitors
and responds to foodborne disease outbreaks through national surveillance
systems. It collaborates with NAFDAC and FMHSW to track, investigate, and
mitigate food-related public health risks.
Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON): Regulates the
practice of chemistry and ensures the competence of professionals involved in
food testing, analysis, and quality assurance. ICCON supports laboratory
standards and certification relevant to food safety testing.
Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN): Oversees the
training, certification, and regulation of public analysts involved in food
quality assessment, chemical testing, and product safety evaluation.
Department of International Trade: Facilitates trade relations and
market access for Nigerian food products, ensuring compliance with
international food safety standards to enhance export competitiveness.
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC): Safeguards
consumer interests by monitoring unfair trade practices, false food labeling,
and unsafe products in the market. It complements the roles of SON and NAFDAC
in ensuring consumer protection and product safety.
Federal Produce Inspection Service (FPIS): Conducts inspection and
quality control of agricultural produce for export. FPIS ensures that exported
commodities meet national and international food safety and quality standards.
Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC): Promotes the export of
Nigerian food and agricultural products by supporting adherence to
international safety, quality, and packaging standards to enhance
competitiveness in global markets.
Consumer Protection Council (CPC) / Federal
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC): Protects consumers from unsafe or
mislabelled food products.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): Monitors and responds to foodborne
disease outbreaks, coordinating with health and regulatory agencies.
Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology
(NIFST):
Provides professional training, public education, and research, including
initiatives on street food safety.
National Environmental Standards and Regulations
Enforcement Agency (NESREA): Oversees environmental hygiene and waste management, indirectly
influencing market sanitation.
Nigeria Customs Service: Controls the importation of food
items and enforces compliance with safety and quality standards at borders.

Coordination and Decentralized Implementation

The National Food Safety and Quality Policy
(2023) established a three-tier coordination mechanism:

National Codex Committee (NCC): The
National Codex Committee (NCC) is saddled with the responsibility of
implementing the standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, established in
1963 under the joint FAO and WHO Food Standards Programme to develop food
standards, guidelines, and codes of practice. The NCC functions as the national
Codex Contact Point, providing a forum for discussions and the formulation of
national responses to Codex proposals or policies. It also coordinates
stakeholder participation, promotes awareness and adoption of Codex standards,
and ensures that national food safety and quality regulations align with
international best practices to protect consumers and support fair food trade[3].
National Food Safety Council (NFSC): The apex body providing policy
direction, chaired by the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare and
serves as the coordinating platform linking federal agencies and providing
guidance on national food safety policy. A National Food Safety Emergency Response Committee also exists to handle outbreaks and
incidents.
National Food Safety Management Committee
(NFSMC):
Coordinates inter-agency implementation, risk communication, and information
exchange among MDAs.
State and Local Government Food Safety
Management Committees: At the state
level, State Ministries of Health and
Agriculture
implement federal policies, supervise local inspections, and coordinate with
NAFDAC zonal offices. At the local
government level,
Environmental
Health Officers (EHOs) carry out market inspections, licensing of food vendors, and
enforcement of hygiene by-laws. This tier is the most visible to informal food
vendors, as EHOs are responsible for day-to-day supervision of open markets,
abattoirs, and street food outlets.

This decentralized approach aims to extend
oversight across the food chain and improve responsiveness to local challenges.
However, operational capacity varies across states and LGAs due to funding
constraints, limited infrastructure, and uneven political commitment.

However, in
practice, coordination amongst these regulatory bodies is weak. Lines of
communication between federal, state, and local institutions are often informal
and fragmented and data on inspections, foodborne diseases, and enforcement
actions are rarely shared systematically, making national monitoring difficult[4]. Awareness of the NPFSIS among actors
at State and Local Government levels that interface with the informal food
sector also seems to be highly limited. Consequently, the NPFSIS document needs
to be adapted at the State and Local Government Area Council levels to enable
effective implementation and achievement of its set goals and objectives across
the informal food sector as well[5].

Some of
the major challenges faced in the food safety sector include:

1. Overlapping
mandates and fragmented governance:

The presence of numerous MDAs with
partially duplicated mandates leads to confusion about leadership and
accountability. For example, NAFDAC and SON sometimes issue overlapping food
quality regulations, while state health departments run parallel inspection
systems. The NPFSQIP identifies this as one of the most critical barriers to
cohesive food safety management. To address these challenges, the new policy, NPFSQIP, introduces a unified and integrated Food Safety
and Quality Bill to be adopted across all tiers of government.

It also mandates the modernization
of existing regulations and institutions in line with international standards,
enforces stricter penalties for repeated non-compliance, and promotes synergy
among national, state, and local authorities for more effective coordination of
food safety efforts.

2. Weak subnational
capacity:

Local governments, the front line of
enforcement, often lack adequate resources, vehicles, testing equipment, and
skilled inspectors. EHOs are overstretched, and training is inconsistent across
states. Many rely solely on visual assessments due to the absence of
laboratories or portable testing kits.

3. Limited
infrastructure for safe food handling:

Traditional markets and street
vending areas often lack potable water, cold storage, or waste disposal
facilities, making compliance with hygiene regulations difficult. Poor
infrastructure undermines even well-designed regulatory policies.

4. Outdated and
fragmented legislation:

While some instruments, such as
NAFDAC’s Food Hygiene
Regulations (2025), reflect modernization, others date back to colonial-era or early post-independence
public health laws that are not aligned with modern risk-based approaches or
Codex standards.

5. Low awareness and
compliance in the informal sector:

A large proportion of street food
vendors and small-scale handlers operate without registration or knowledge of
safety standards. Economic constraints and informal business models make
compliance less of a priority compared to daily survival.

6. Poor inter-agency
coordination and data management:

The lack of a unified food safety information system prevents data-driven
decision-making. Agencies maintain separate records and rarely exchange
surveillance data or inspection outcomes.

7. Uneven political
commitment and enforcement across states:

Some states, such as Lagos and Ogun,
have dedicated food safety units and market sanitation programs, while others
lack any structured system, creating geographical inequities in consumer
protection.

Nigeria’s food safety governance framework is
severely constrained by fragmentation,
weak subnational capacity, and limited coordination. Strengthening the system requires:

Clarifying institutional mandates and consolidating overlapping laws
under a unified Food Safety and Quality Act;
Enhancing coordination mechanisms through regular inter-agency
meetings, data-sharing platforms, and a fully functional National Food Safety
Council;
Investing in state and local enforcement capacity by training EHOs, providing field
equipment, and upgrading laboratory infrastructure;
Improving market infrastructure (clean water, sanitation, waste
disposal, and storage); and promoting
vendor education and community awareness, particularly in the informal sector.

With
these reforms, Nigeria can move toward a more coherent, risk-based, and
inclusive food safety system that protects public health while supporting
livelihoods within its dynamic informal food economy.

Sources:

[1]
Matthew, A. O., Abraham, T. W., & Adeyemi, A. A. (2015). Rural
poverty and agricultural development in Nigeria: Issues and prospects. Journal
of Agricultural Economics, Environment and Social Sciences, 1(1), 58–66.

[2]
Jaffee, S., & Henson, S. (2018). Promoting food safety in the
informal markets of low- and middle-income countries: The need for a rethink.
University of Maryland and University of Guelph.

[3]
REGIONAL
GUIDELINES FOR CODEX CONTACT POINTS AND NATIONAL CODEX COMMITTEES (AFRICA)

[4]
Obadina, A. O. (2024, November 1). Review of policies related to food
safety in Nigeria: Challenges and opportunities. Food Security Group,
Michigan State University. Retrieved from https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/review-of-policies-related-to-food-safety-in-nigeria-challenges-and-opportunities

[5] Swartz, H.,
Okoruwa, A., & de Vries, A. (2022). Food Safety in Nigeria: Policy Brief
[Advocacy and policy document]. Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). https://www.gainhealth.org/sites/default/files/publications/documents/Food%20Safety%20in%20Nigeria%20Policy%20Brief.pdf

Profile Of The Food Production , Agencies And Operators

Country Profile Fields

Country Name

Nigeria

Geographical Location And Neighbour Countries

• Nigeria is located in West Africa (along the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean (latitude 4°n and 14°n, longitude 3°e and 15°e) and has 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
Nigeria shares land borders with four countries:
Niger to the north
Chad to the northeast (across lake Chad)
Cameroon to the east
Benin to the west
To the south, Nigeria is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea).

Total Land Area Km2

923,769 km²

Population Size Total And Percent Rural Urban

Population Size: Approximately 237.5 million (2025 estimate)
Demographic Distribution:
Urban: 54.9%
Rural: 45.1%
source: Nigeria Population (2025) - Worldometer

Cultivated Agricultural Land Area Hectares Feddans

70.8 million hectares

Number Of Animal Farms By Type

Number of Animal Farms: Categorized by type (livestock, poultry, etc.)
source:https://www.climatescorecard.org/2023/09/nigerian-farmers-have-displayed-commendable-resilience-and-flexibility-due-to-ever-shifting-climate-dynamics

Cultivated And Agricultural Land Area Total Acreage

(34 million hectares to arable land, 6.5 million hectares to permanent crops, and 30.3 million hectares to meadows and pastures)

Authorities For Plant Based Food Safety Regulations

Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS)

Authorities For Plant Based Food Safety Inspection Oversight

Plant Quarantine Division

Authorities For Animal Based Food Safety Regulations

Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS)

Authorities For Animal Based Food Safety Inspection Oversight

Animal Quarantine Division

Number Of Private Certification Bodies

There is no publicly accessible and comprehensive list showing the number of Private Certification Bodies in Nigeria

Number Of Registered Food Establishments

Farms, processing plants, restaurants, retail stores, etc

Food Export And Import Volume

• Cash crops and beverage products: Exports of 97,045 tonnes valued at USD 123.9 million, and 21,835 tonnes of imports valued at USD 76.8 million.
• Cereals: Exports of 183,575 tonnes valued at USD 38.7 million, and 4.88 million tonnes of imports valued at USD 1.68 billion.
• Fruits and vegetables: Exports were 54,778 tonnes worth USD 68.6 million, and imports totaled 85,500 tonnes valued at USD 122.2 million.
• Livestock products: Exports of 2,860 tonnes valued at USD 4.2 million, and imports of 98,000 tonnes worth USD 316 million.
• Oilseeds and oils: Exports of 156,643 tonnes valued at USD 253.9 million, and imports of 1.19 million tonnes valued at USD 1.5 billion.
• Pulses: Exports of 791,018 tonnes valued at USD 1.06 billion, and imports of 11,968 tonnes worth USD 10.6 million.
• Roots and tubers: Exports of 10,921 tonnes valued at USD 2.7 million, and imports of 6,264 tonnes worth USD 11.5 million.
• Sugar and confectionery products: Exports of 28,506 tonnes valued at USD 12.7 million, and imports of 1.63 million tonnes valued at USD 867.9 million.
• Other food products: Exports of 227,456 tonnes valued at USD 2.3 billion, and imports of 1.04 million tonnes valued at USD 8.49 billion.

Strategic Food Commodities

Rice, Maize (corn), Sorghum and Millet, Yam, Cassava, Beans/Pulses, Palm Oil, Groundnut (Peanut), Vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, onions), Fisheries/Livestock products

Compliance With International Standards

Codex Alimentarius: Nigeria is a Codex member and SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria) is listed as the Codex Contact Point, other competent authorities working to ensure compliance with international standards include National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Federal Ministry of Health and social welfare (FMHSW).

IPPC (plant health): Nigeria appears on the IPPC country list, and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) is the designated National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO).

WOAH / OIE (animal health): Nigeria is listed among members of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE). This shows formal engagement with international animal-health reporting and standards.

WTO (SPS/TBT frameworks): Nigeria is a WTO member (since 1995) and has an entry in the WTO notifications portal for SPS/TBT measures; WTO projects also support Nigeria’s SPS capacity.

Plant Pre And Post Harvest Monitoring

Pre Harvest

Items

Vegetables Tomatoes Lettuce Carrots Potatoes

Nigeria is an important producer of fruits and vegetables in Africa. The key vegetable crops, produced, in terms of volume are tomatoes, okra and onion while other commonly consumed green leafy vegetables (GLV) include pepper, amaranthus, roselle, fluted pumpkin, okra, jute leaves, carrots, and baobab leaves. Vegetable production in Nigeria is largely small-scale and concentrated in Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, and Ogun States, where diverse climatic zones support year-round cultivation. Smallholder farmers through mixed crops and livestock farming system, dominate production in these areas and depend on informal market chains for distribution.
These farmers commonly rely on surface and shallow-well irrigation, which often leads to low crop yields and high post-harvest losses, especially during the dry season. These irrigation methods also increase the risk of microbial and heavy-metal contamination (FMARD, 2016a).

In addition, farming practices such as the widespread use of unregulated agrochemicals, often driven by weak extension coverage and limited training on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), further compromise crop safety and quality. Regulatory oversight of agrochemical use in Nigeria is shared among multiple agencies. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) promotes Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and provides extension support to farmers, while the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) monitors compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is responsible for the registration, regulation, and control of pesticides. Despite these roles, enforcement remains limited, contributing to continued reliance on unregulated chemicals.

Fruits Apples Bananas Grapes Citrus

The fruit subsector in Nigeria, comprising crops such as citrus (oranges, lemons, limes), mangoes, bananas/plantains, and pineapples, play a critical role in national nutrition, household incomes, and emerging agro-export markets. Production is concentrated in the Guinea and Sudan savanna belts, particularly in states such as Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa,where climatic conditions favour citrus and mango cultivation .

On-farm practices are primarily smallholder-based, characterised by intercropping or mixed cropping systems, low mechanisation, and limited adoption of improved horticultural techniques. These systems face substantial food safety challenges, including excessive or unregulated agrochemical use, inadequate knowledge of Integrated Pest Management systems (IPM), and reliance on informal chemical retailers.

Food safety oversight in this subsector is shared among several institutions. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) provides regulatory oversight and enforces compliance with national food standards, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) ensures sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance for fruit exports, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) promotes Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) while providing extension support to farmers.
source: 2021 publication

Crops Wheat Rice Maize Barley

The cereal crops subsector in Nigeria encompasses staples such as maize, rice (paddy), millet and sorghum, It’s production is widespread across agro ecological zones, but is especially concentrated in the Sudan and Guinea savanna belts and in the “Middle Belt” states where maize, millet and sorghum are dominant, and in lowland irrigated zones and upland rain‐fed zones for rice.

Smallholder operations also dominate on farm practices, often using mixed cropping, limited mechanisation, and simple post‐harvest storage but face major vulnerabilities such as weak storage logistics, seasonal harvest peaks, pests and diseases, and frequent misuse or inadequate regulation of agrochemicals. Food safety concerns significantly affect this subsector ranging from pesticide residues in cereals and cereal based foods in Nigeria (e.g., rice, millet, maize) to high levels of mycotoxin contamination in maize, millet and sorghum.

The key institutions integral to this subsector are the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and relevant agricultural research institutes

Oil Producing Plants Sunflower Soybean Palm Olive

Oilseed crops in Nigeria include several species: groundnuts (peanuts), soybeans, sesame seeds, oil palm (kernel and nut), and a range of “minor” oilseeds (melon, castor, sunflower, etc.) that feed into edible oils, industrial oils, animal feed, and export chains. Major production zones for oilseeds span across the northern states for sesame and soybeans (e.g., Jigawa, Nasarawa, Taraba) and the south and rainforest belt for oil palm.

Farmers producing oil producing plants are often smallholders using rain fed systems, with relatively low mechanisation, modest use of improved seeds, and limited access to processing infrastructure predisposing them to vulnerabilities such as mycotoxin contamination, unregulated or excess use of agrochemicals, Infrastructural constraints, Seasonal production, price volatility and export dependence. The key institutions in this sector include the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Research institutions.

Medicinal And Aromatic Plants

Nigeria’s biodiversity supports large numbers of medicinal and aromatic species. 183 species have been identified to be used medicinally across 61 plant families. Production zones are widespread including rainforest, savanna, and plateau regions such as the Mambilla Plateau (Taraba State). However, many medicinal and aromatic plants are still harvested from the wild rather than cultivated.

The supply chain is often complex as gatherers collect wild plants and transfer them unto processors and other intermediaries. This process predisposes them to vulnerabilities and food-safety/reliability issues such as over-reliance on wild collection, Weak traceability and certification in value chains, poor post-harvest processes and market fragmentation.

Main Risks

* Oil-Producing Plants (e.g., sunflower, soybean, palm, olive): Pesticide residues, aflatoxin formation, and environmental contamination.

* Medicinal and aromatic plants: Heavy-metal accumulation, pesticide residues, and microbial contamination from drying surfaces.

* Crops (e.g., wheat, rice, maize, barley): Aflatoxin contamination, pesticide residues, and nutrient-depleted soils.

* Fruits (e.g., apples, bananas, grapes, citrus fruits): Pesticide residues, fruit-fly infestation, and microbial contamination during harvesting

* Vegetable crops include heavy-metal contamination, pesticide residues, and microbial exposure from irrigation water.

Excessive Pesticide Use Ipm Systems

* Oil-Producing Plants (e.g., sunflower, soybean, palm, olive): Controlled through registration of agrochemical dealers and farmer training by the FMAFS.

* Crops (e.g., wheat, rice, maize, barley): Managed through NAFDAC-approved lists and ADP farmer training)

* Fruits (e.g., apples, bananas, grapes, citrus fruits): Controlled through NAFDAC-approved pesticide lists and IPM training by FMAFS extension officers.

* Vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, potatoes): Managed through IPM programs promoted by FMAFS and NAQS with approved pesticide lists from NAFDAC.

* Medicinal and aromatic plants: Limited through organic certification and NAFDAC-approved pesticide controls.

Microbiological Contamination

* Oil-Producing Plants (e.g., sunflower, soybean, palm, olive): Minimized with clean harvest tools and avoidance of contaminated water.

* Crops (e.g., wheat, rice, maize, barley): Prevented by hygienic drying and grain handling practices on-farm.”

* Fruits (e.g. apples, bananas, grapes, citrus fruits): Reduced through orchard sanitation, clean harvesting tools, and potable water use.

* Vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, potatoes): Microbiological Contamination: Controlled via clean irrigation water, manure management, and worker hygiene training by ADPs and NAFDAC.

* Medicinal and aromatic plants: Prevented by clean water, drying racks, and good hygiene practices.

Regulatory Oversight Surveillance Gap Enforcement

* Oil-Producing Plants (e.g., sunflower, soybean, palm, olive): The Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) oversees Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases, the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) is responsible for the certification and quality control of seeds used in cultivation; while the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) coordinates extension services and monitoring activities to ensure compliance with production standards and sustainable practices.

* Crops (e.g., wheat, rice, maize, barley): The NAQS is responsible for the certification and inspection of export crops to ensure compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards. NAFDAC regulates and monitors the use of agricultural chemicals to ensure food safety and public health. The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) develops and enforces commodity standards to guarantee product quality and consistency, while the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) monitor environmental compliance and manages agricultural waste to promote sustainable production practices.

* Fruits (e.g., apples, bananas, grapes, citrus fruits): The NAQS conducts phytosanitary inspections to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases through imported and exported fruits. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) enforces Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to ensure safe and sustainable fruit production. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) jointly establish and regulate maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides and contaminants to safeguard consumer health.

* Vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, potatoes): FMAFS in collaboration with NAQS and NAFDAC, conducts field monitoring and inspection to ensure compliance with national production and safety standards. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) are enforced under the National policy for Food Safety and Quality Implementation Plan (NPFSQIP) to promote safe, sustainable, and high-quality vegetable production.

* Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: NAFDAC regulates the safety, quality, and handling of herbal materials used in medicinal and aromatic products. The (NAQS) oversees plant health and phytosanitary measures to prevent the spread of pests and diseases affecting these crops. NESREA enforces soil and water quality standards to ensure environmentally sustainable conservation practices.

Compliance With International Standards Codex Eu Mrls National

* Vegetables: Nigeria aligns with Codex Alimentarius pesticide residue limits because its regulatory limits match the Codex/EU limits, and laboratories verify compliance. These limits are adopted into domestic regulations such as NAFDAC pesticide-residue standards, SON Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) for fresh produce and good agricultural practices (GAP) to prevent contamination. NAFDAC conducts laboratory testing for residues while NAQS enforces phytosanitary checks for exports and SON sets packaging and handling standards. Examples include: NIS 482:2018 (Fresh Fruits and Vegetables) and NIS 99:2018 (Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables developed directly from Codex CAC/RCP 53-2003).

* Fruits (e.g., apples, bananas, grapes, citrus fruits): Fruit safety and regulations in Nigeria follow the codex MRLs for pesticides and contaminants, WTO-SPS requirements and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards for phytosanitary controls. Examples Include: NIS 245:2007 (Fruit Juices and Fruit Drinks), NIS 229 (Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) for Fruits and Vegetables), International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 2, 20, 23 for fruit pest control and quarantine.

* Crops (e.g., wheat, rice, maize, barley): Nigeria ensures compliance through the Nigeria’s national grain standards that mirror Codex and FAO/WHO grain safety thresholds such as limits for Aflatoxins, Heavy metals, Mycotoxins (e.g., DON, fumonisins) and Storage pests. These international standards are incorporated into SON’s crop and grain NIS standards and NAFDAC’s food-safety limits for contaminants. Examples Include: NIS 253 (Maize Grains), NIS 124:2018 (Rice), NIS 226 (Sorghum), NIS 438 (Wheat Grain) all adopted from Codex CXS 193, CXS 193-1995, CXC 51-2003 and FAO grain standards.

* Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Nigeria adopts Codex limits into national testing requirements and export certification rules for spices, herbs, and botanicals. WTO-SPS measures and the national MRLs are issued by NAFDAC for contaminants and pesticide residues. The NAQS also conducts SPS checks for exported botanicals (e.g., hibiscus flowers). Examples include NIS 989 (Spices and Herbs), NIS 181 (Ginger), NIS 182 (Garlic), NIS 321 (Turmeric) all harmonized with Codex CXS 193-1995 and Codex CXS 326-2017 (standard for Spices and Culinary Herbs).

* Oil-Producing Plants (e.g., sunflower, soybean, palm, olive): With standards such as the NIS 444 (Vegetable Oils), NIS 389 (Groundnut Oil) and NIS 23 (Soybean Oil), Nigeria Aligns with Codex CXS 210 (Vegetable Oils), Codex CXS 19 (Edible Fats and Oils) and Codex CXS 193 (Contaminant limits).

Risk Mitigation Practices Ipm Soil Testing Approved Lists

* Vegetables : IPM adoption, soil testing, and pesticide use restricted to approved chemicals

* Oil producing plants: IPM, soil testing, and field hygiene enforcement.

* Fruits (e.g., apples, bananas, grapes, citrus fruits) : Orchard hygiene, IPM, and regular water-quality monitoring.

* Crops (e.g., wheat, rice, maize, barley): Crop rotation, IPM, and certified seed use.

Authority

Government Or Regulatory Or Administrative Body Overseeing On Farm Production

Existence of a government or Regulatory & Administrative body overseeing plant-based production and managing on farm said activates

* Oil-Producing Plants (e.g., sunflower, soybean, palm, olive) FMAFS, NAQS, SON, NAFDAC and NESREA.

* Crops (e.g., wheat, rice, maize, barley): FMAFS, NAQS, NASC and SON

* Fruits (e.g., apples, bananas, grapes, citrus fruits): NAQS (plant-health), FMAFS (extension), NAFDAC (chemical residues).

* Vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, potatoes): FMAFS (policy), NAQS (biosecurity), NAFDAC (chemicals), SON (standards)

* Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: NAFDAC, NAQS, and FMAFS coordinate supervision.

Technical Compliance

Defined Limits And Surveillance For Pesticide Residues Heavy Metals Microbiological Safety

* Vegetables: This is done through GAP inspections and biosecurity verification under NAQS Act 2017 and NAFDAC pesticide regulations.

* Fruits: Field audits and seed-certification inspections are carried out by NASC and NAQS.

* Crops: Residue testing and field inspection reports verified by NAQS and NAFDAC.

* Oil-producing plants: Phytosanitary and environmental compliance audits.

*Medicinal and aromatic plants: Certification audits, field sampling, and lab analysis for residues and contaminants.

• Compliance with Technical Regulations
Defined limits and surveillance for pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbiological safetyThe regulatory activities on pesticide residues, heavy metals and microbiological safety of NAFDAC rest on the Agency’s mandate stated in NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004 amidst other laws to ensure safety, quality and efficacy and compliance with global best practices. The NAFDAC laboratories are ISO 17025 certified and ensure that all packaged food products for local consumption and export follow the Codex Minimum Residue Limits (MRLs). The core activities of the Agency on pesticides are:
• Inspection of Production Facilities and Warehouses
• Development of Guidelines, Standards and Regulations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Registration of Pesticide products
• Quality control /Laboratory analysis
• Research Activities towards Regulatory Decisions and Risk Assessment Identification
• Effective Surveillance and Continuous Monitoring of Safe and Responsible use of Pesticides.
• Issuance of e-License/Permits
• Listing of Pesticide and Agrochemical Marketers
• Port Inspection of pesticides at the points of entry

Compliance With Codex Eu Mrls And National Standards

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): SON develops and enforces Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) aligned with the Codex Alimentarius and EU MRL’s for foods. Examples of relevant national standards include:
• NIS 205:1985 (Cereals and Pulses): Sets limits for pesticide residues and heavy metals in cereals like rice, maize, and beans. SON/TC 001 issues NIS for Cereals and Pulses.
• NIS 120:2015 (Edible Oils and Fats): Specifies quality parameters and allowable chemical residues in oils (e.g., palm oil, groundnut oil). SON/TC 025 is the technical committee issuing NIS for edible oils and fats.
• NIS 210:1985 (Fruits and Vegetables): Defines limits for pesticide residues in fresh and processed vegetables and fruits. SON/TC 014 is the technical committee issuing NIS for Processed Fruits and Vegetables
• NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004: developed by NAFDAC and is the legal framework for controlling food safety, imports, and chemical residues.
• NAFDAC Counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome processed foods (miscellaneous provisions) ACT Cap C.34 LFN 2004: which prohibits the sale of counterfeit, and unwholesome processed foods. It also prohibits the sale and distribution of counterfeit, adulterated, banned, substandard or expired drugs.
• NAFDAC Food, drugs and related products (registration, etc.) Act Cap F.33 LFN 2004: This law prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution and advertisement of unregistered food, drug, cosmetic, medical device or water.
source: SON Library OPAC is a research and reference point for standards information to staff, government agencies, business entrepreneurs and consumers including the international community on standardization activities.

Enforcement Of Mrls For Chemical Contaminants

NAFDAC Pesticide Registration Regulation (2021): These regulations operationalize pesticide oversight under the NAFDAC Act. Key provisions under this regulation include:
• All pesticide products must be registered and evaluated before importation, manufacture, or distribution.
• Applicants must submit toxicological and residue data to demonstrate compliance with international MRLs (typically Codex or EU).
• NAFDAC is empowered to analyze, approve, restrict, or ban pesticide active ingredients based on residue or contaminant risks.
• This regulation also authorizes NAFDAC to inspect facilities, sample products, and impose sanctions for MRL exceedances or unsafe pesticide use.
source: 2022-06-08 08:08

Gap

Post Harvest

Items

Vegetables

Post-harvest oversight for vegetables is jointly provided by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
FMAFS: supervises storage, handling, and transport conditions through Good Agricultural and Handling Practices.
NAFDAC: enforces hygiene, packaging, and safety standards for market distribution.
SON: establishes Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) for grading, packaging, and labeling, ensuring alignment with Codex Alimentarius and international residue limits.
NAQS: monitors inter-state and export consignments to ensure compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures.

Fruits

NAQS: leads the inspection and certification of fruits for export and inter-state movement, enforcing phytosanitary standards to prevent pest and disease transmission.
FMAFS: promotes Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and proper post-harvest handling through its extension services.
NAFDAC: regulates the use of post-harvest chemicals, preservatives, and storage conditions to ensure food safety, while SON defines commodity standards, labeling, and grading requirements.
FPIS: conducts quality grading and certification for export-bound fruit consignments

Crops

Post-harvest activities for staple crops fall primarily under the oversight of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the Federal Produce Inspection Service (FPIS).
FMAFS: oversees post-harvest storage, transportation, and national grain reserve operations to minimize losses and maintain quality.
FPIS: carries out inspection, sampling, and certification of exportable grains, ensuring compliance with national and international standards.
SON: sets and enforces quality benchmarks for grain moisture content, aflatoxin levels, and milling standards.
NAFDAC: ensures food safety in packaging, processing, and market distribution.

Oil Producing Plants

Oversight for oil crops involves the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). NAQS: certifies export crops and enforces SPS measures for inter-state and international trade.
NAFDAC: regulates post-harvest chemical use, oil extraction hygiene, and packaging to ensure consumer safety.
FMAFS: provides technical support and monitors post-harvest processing through its agricultural value-chain programs.
SON: defines commodity standards for edible oils, while NESREA ensures environmentally sound waste management during processing.

Responsible Authorities

NAFDAC: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is the primary federal regulator for food safety at the post-harvest and processing stages. The mandate is to to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of food (including processed fruit/vegetable products), to set hygienic/food-handling guidelines, and to monitor chemical residues and contaminants in foods.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) (formerly FMARD): provides overall policy direction for post-harvest systems, promotes Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and post-harvest interventions, coordinates extension delivery and national post-harvest programmes, and leads initiatives to reduce losses and enhance food-safety compliance along farm-to-market chains.

The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS): enforces phytosanitary controls, issues phytosanitary certificates, inspects and quarantines agricultural consignments for pests and diseases, and thereby protects export/import consignments and domestic markets from pest-borne contamination risks.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): develops and enforces Nigerian industrial and product standards (including food and packaging standards), certifies conformity to standards, and helps ensure that processed foods and food-contact materials meet safety and quality specifications.
The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC): monitors market-level practices, enforces consumer-protection rules (including against unsafe or deceptive food handling/packaging and illegal additives/ripening agents), and conducts market surveillance and enforcement actions to protect consumers’ food-safety rights.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW): working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), FMHSW is responsible for public-health surveillance of foodborne disease outbreaks and for setting/implementing public-health measures that intersect with food safety (inspection, outbreak response, risk communication).

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS): is the national statistical authority that supplies the agricultural and trade statistics used to monitor post-harvest flows, quantify losses, and guide evidence-based food-safety and post-harvest policy decisions (it is not a regulator but a key evidence provider).

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA): enforces environmental regulations relevant to the food and beverage sector (waste, effluent, chemical emissions) and issues sector-specific environmental regulations that affect food-processing facilities and post-harvest handling sites.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS): controls cross-border movement of agricultural consignments, enforces import/export rules (in coordination with NAQS/NAFDAC/SON), and prevents illegal or unsafe food consignments from entering or leaving the country.

State ministries of agriculture, state ministries of health, and Local Government Environmental/Health Departments carry out local inspection, enforcement and extension functions, including market hygiene inspections, licensing of local processors/traders, and frontline surveillance, as part of the multi-tier food-safety system described in Nigeria’s food-safety framework.

Regulations Enforced Additives Labeling Gmp Ghp

NAFDAC Food Additives Regulations (2019) : These regulations set out permitted food additives, their allowable levels in various food products, and the rules around their use. They require that synthetic colors or mixtures be clearly labeled. The regulations also cover processing aids and “carry-over” of food additives, meaning how additives carried from one process to another are regulated.

NAFDAC Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Regulations for Food (2025) : These are newer regulations (2025) that formalize GMP requirements for food manufacturing in Nigeria. They define GMP to mean consistent production and control of food products to the quality standards appropriate to their intended use. These regulations also cover quality assurance, quality control, record-keeping (SOPs, batch production records) and the handling of deviations.

NAFDAC Guidelines for Food Hygienic Practices (NGFHP) 2024 : These guidelines provide a “Good Hygienic Practices” (GHP) framework for food handlers, food establishments, primary producers, and importers/exporters. The NGFHP is structured to reflect Codex Alimentarius hygiene principles but is tailored to Nigeria’s food-safety context. They address hygiene in primary production, processing, preparation and market trading, including training requirements for food handlers. They also cover import and export hygiene requirements and traceability, and they emphasize chemical contaminants (e.g. residues), microbiological safety, and food-borne disease risk.

NAFDAC Food Regulations : Beyond additives and GMP, NAFDAC’s Food Regulations provide a legal basis for regulating food products, their registration, import/export, and post-market surveillance. Under these food regulations, no food product can be manufactured, imported or sold without NAFDAC registration, and facilities must be inspected. The “Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act, Cap F33 LFN 2004” empowers NAFDAC to regulate these aspects.
sources:
NAFDAC-Good-Manufacturing-Practice-for-Food-Regulations-2025.pdf
NAFDAC Guidelines For Food Hygienic Practices (NGFHP) - NAFDAC
Food Regulations - NAFDAC

Monitoring Mechanisms Inspections Sampling Plans

1. Facility Inspections / GMP Assessments
The Food Safety & Applied Nutrition (FSAN) Directorate of NAFDAC is responsible for inspecting food manufacturing facilities, warehouses, packaging plants, etc., to assess compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), hygienic design, and food-safety standards. During inspections, NAFDAC evaluates the layout, sanitation, personnel hygiene, storage conditions, and operations of food premises.
For Micro-scale food manufacturing facilities, NAFDAC has a specific “Guidelines for Production Inspection of Micro-Scale Food Manufacturing Facilities” that requires a formal application for inspection, documentation (personnel records, fumigation certificate, list of equipment), and sampling of registration lots during inspection. If non-conformances are found, NAFDAC issues a “non-conformance” report and may withhold registration until issues are corrected; satisfactory facilities have samples taken at inspection for lab testing.

2. Sampling and Laboratory Testing
NAFDAC’s Laboratory Services Directorate is tasked with analyzing food samples from inspections and market surveillance for chemical, microbiological, and physical contaminants. Test results inform enforcement decisions (e.g., product recalls, facility compliance). The labs are also used for post-market surveillance. During facility inspections, registration or batch samples are collected and sent to NAFDAC laboratories (chemical, biological) for conformity testing.

3. Hygiene Surveillance and Food Establishment Monitoring
NAFDAC developed its Food Hygiene Regulations (2025), which require food establishments (processing, storage, packaging, transportation) to maintain sanitary premises, implement food-safety management systems, and prevent contaminationits guidelines for Food Hygienic Practices (NGFHP), also details how to conduct inspections of food handlers, premises, equipment, and how to monitor foodborne hazards over time. Through FSAN, NAFDAC inspects not just manufacturing facilities but also food service businesses, supermarkets, and warehouses.

4. Regulatory Enforcement, Alert and Surveillance
NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate acts on inspection findings, laboratory results, and surveillance data to enforce food-safety rules (recalls, sanctions). The FSAN Directorate also coordinates with INFOSAN (International Food Safety Authorities Network) as Nigeria’s emergency contact point for food-safety incidents. NAFDAC issues alert notices, monitors advertisements of regulated foods, and ensures continuous surveillance of food premises.

5. Inter-agency and Local Government Collaboration
food-safety monitoring is not limited to NAFDAC alone as the Federal Ministry of Health and social welfare also formulates hygiene and inspection policies, while State & Local Governments carry out on-the-ground inspections of food premises (markets, street-vending, catering) in partnership with NAFDAC.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): sets food-product and packaging standards and their standards inform what NAFDAC inspectors and labs evaluate during sampling.

Food Testing Labs Type Accreditation Iso Iec 17025

Laboratory Services (LS-Kaduna) Directorate: The Kaduna Laboratory Services (KLS) Directorate of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is one of the seven official reference laboratories established to undertake quality control testing of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, chemicals, and detergents submitted to the Agency for regulatory purposes such as licensing, market surveillance, enforcement, investigation, research etc.
It provides these services for the thirteen states within the North West and North Central regions of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. The laboratory provides reliable and accurate analytical laboratory services in line with international best practices, demonstrated by its commitment to establishing and implementing Quality Systems in line with global standards. The Laboratory has consistently sustained the ISO 17025:2017 Accreditation for almost a decade, exhibiting its technical competence in sixteen (16) accredited testing scopes.

KLS uses calibrated, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to undertake quality control activities to ensure the safety and quality of regulated products.

Other Food Laboratories in charge of conducting appropriate tests and ensuring compliance with standard specifications designated and approved by the Council for the effective control of the quality of food, drugs and other regulated products and their production processes in factories and other establishments include:
• Central Laboratory, Oshodi, Lagos
• Zonal Laboratory, Agulu
• Area Laboratory, Port Harcourt; are supervised by One Director

Specialized Labs Residue Heavy Metals Microbiological Tests

* NAFDAC – Kaduna Laboratory Services (KLS)
* Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Laboratories
* Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMH)

Oversight

Authorities Managing Post Harvest Processing Packaging Storage Distribution

* National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC): This is the main authority for food processing factory registration (plant & animal foods), Processed food packaging approval, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification for processors, storage facility regulation (cold rooms, warehouses for packaged foods), distribution licensing for packaged/processed foods, monitoring labeling, shelf-life, additives, contaminants.

* Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): is responsible for setting standards for packaging materials (NIS standards), establishing storage requirements for grains, oils, beverages, water, dairy, etc, releasing Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) for warehousing & post-harvest operations, conducting conformity assessments (SONCAP, MANCAP) and ensuring product quality during distribution and retail.

* Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Veterinary & Pest Control Services) (FMARD/FDVPCS): is responsible for post-harvest handling of foods of animal origin, hygienic slaughtering and processing oversight, cold chain management for meat and fish in early distribution stages and national post-harvest policies for crops, grains, and livestock.

* Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS): is responsible for Inspection of plant and animal products meant for export, certification of packaging, sanitary handling, and storage for export and ensuring compliance with international (SPS, Codex, IPPC) standards

* National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA):is responsible for waste management standards at processing and storage facilities and regulation of environmental hygiene in warehouses and processing plants.

* State Ministries of Agriculture & State Environmental Health Officers: is responsible for monitoring hygienic conditions of local markets, Inspecting storage and distribution points (grain stores, cold rooms, abattoirs), enforcing state-level food handling and post-harvest by laws, ensuring safe transport of perishable foods

* Local Government Authorities (LGAs): are responsible for the oversight of local markets and small-scale storage units, issuance of local food handlers’ permits, monitoring post-harvest handling by traders and distributors and enforcement of hygiene in traditional markets.

Verification Of Technical Regulations On Food Additives Packaging Labeling

- NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control)
- Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
- Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMSHW

Enforcement Of Gmp And Ghp

- The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)
- The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
- The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS)

Animal On-Farm And Ex-Farm Monitoring

Animals On Farm Pre Slaughter

Competent Authority Regulatory Oversight

Veterinary Services Inspection Monitoring

- Veterinary services for inspection, monitoring, and enforcement
The primary National veterinary competent authority is Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services (FDVPCS), under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD): The Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services (DVPCS) functions as the policy adviser to the Government on all animal health, safety and wholesomeness of food of animal origin for human consumption and Pest Control Services. The Department draws its mandate from the Animal Diseases Control Act NO. 10 of 1988 and the World Organization for Animal Health (Office Internationale des Epizooties-OIE) standards, recommendations and guidelines for animal health and welfare. It is involved in the prevention, control and eradication of trans-boundary animal diseases and pests, control of vector and vector-borne diseases, zoo-sanitary certification services, provision of veterinary public health services, food safety services and zoonotic diseases control to guarantee healthy national herd, wholesomeness of foods of animal origin, international trade in livestock and livestock products and the general economic well-being of the populace.
source: PolicyVault.Africa | Animal Diseases (Control) Act

- Standards Organizations of Nigeria:
Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN)
- Technical Regulations: Drugs, hormones, zoonoses, AMR monitoring, Biosecurity and Good Animal Farming’ Practices, Practices: Biosecurity, housing, vaccination, HACCP at farm level
The Animal Diseases (Control) Act, 2022 : is the principal legislation governing animal health in Nigeria, providing a legal framework for the prevention, detection, control, and eradication of animal diseases, including zoonoses. It regulates the production, distribution, and use of veterinary biologics, drugs, and chemicals, such as antibiotics, vaccines, hormones, and antiparasitic agents, while enforcing withdrawal periods to prevent residues in food. The Act extends its provisions to animal products, including meat, milk, eggs, and medicated feeds, ensuring food safety through risk control at the farm level. It promotes biosecurity measures, such as restricted farm access, isolation of sick animals, disinfection, and proper housing, and encourages vaccination programs and other disease-prevention practices.

National Biosecurity Policy & Action Plan (2022–2026): This policy (led by the National Biosafety Management Agency, NBMA) provides a framework for biosecurity enforcement, including biological threat prevention, inspection, and regulation of research involving harmful biological agents. It mandates monitoring, inspection, and enforcement across relevant agencies (including animal health) to strengthen biosecurity.

Regulatory Directive on the formulation of veterinary pharmaceuticals with 2 antibiotics only : In May 2025, NAFDAC issued a Regulatory Directive restricting veterinary antibiotic formulations to at most two active antimicrobials, to minimize AMR risk. This regulatory directive guides veterinary drug manufacturers on the formulation of veterinary antibiotics intended for use in pet, livestock and poultry production.
source: PolicyVault.Africa | Animal Diseases (Control) Act

Technical Regulations Drugs Hormones Biosecurity Haccp

Standards On Veterinary Drugs Antibiotics Zoonotic Diseases

* Compliance with Technical Regulations
Nigeria ensures compliance with animal-based food safety regulations through the coordinated roles of several regulatory institutions, each responsible for a specific part of the livestock and food safety chain.
1. Federal Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services (FDVPCS) – Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). The FDVPCS enforces national veterinary and livestock-related technical regulations by conducting farm inspections, disease surveillance, vaccination oversight, and enforcement of biosecurity measures. It ensures compliance with the Animal Diseases (Control) Act, 2022, monitors zoonotic diseases, oversees movement control and animal health certification, and supervises State Veterinary Services to ensure uniform implementation nationwide.
2. National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
NAFDAC ensures compliance with technical regulations related to veterinary drugs, medicated feeds, vaccines, hormones, and chemical residues by registering veterinary medicinal products, monitoring distribution, and inspecting farms and feed mills. It enforces withdrawal periods, conducts laboratory testing for residues and contaminants, and prosecutes violations to prevent unsafe animal products from entering the food chain.
3. Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): SON develops, updates, and enforces national technical standards for animal production, animal feeds, water quality, abattoir operations, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). It certifies farms and agro-processing facilities for compliance with standards such as Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), promotes HACCP-based food safety systems at farm level, and conducts audits to ensure conformity to technical requirements.
4. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC): NCDC ensures compliance with zoonotic disease surveillance requirements under the One Health framework, coordinating reporting and outbreak response for diseases such as avian influenza, anthrax, brucellosis, and rabies. It works jointly with FDVPCS to ensure farms comply with disease reporting, emergency response, and containment protocols outlined in national technical guidelines.
5. State Ministries of Agriculture / State Veterinary Services: State Veterinary Services ensure local-level compliance by carrying out routine farm visits, livestock vaccination, quarantine enforcement, and abattoir meat inspection. They implement state and federal meat hygiene laws, certify animals as “fit for slaughter,” and enforce standards for housing, welfare, hygiene, waste management, and pre-slaughter handling.
6. Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service(NAQS): The animal division of the NAQS enforces compliance with regulations related to movement, importation, and exportation of animals and animal products, preventing the spread of pests, diseases, and contaminants. It ensures that live animals and animal products meet veterinary health standards before crossing borders.
7. Accredited Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025-compliant): National laboratories such as NAFDAC’s Central Drug Control Laboratory (Yaba), Kaduna Laboratory Services, and private NiNAS-accredited labs, ensure compliance by conducting microbiological testing, chemical residue analysis, AMR surveillance, and hormone/drug detection. Their accredited status ensures scientifically valid results that support enforcement actions.
8. Environmental Health Officers (Local Government Level): Local Environmental Health Departments enforce compliance with sanitation regulations, monitor slaughter slabs, ensure proper waste disposal, and prevent cross-contamination during animal handling and processing at the community level.

- National/international standards on veterinary drugs, hormones, antibiotics, and zoonotic diseases
Animal Diseases (Control) Act, 2022 (Nigeria) : Provides the legal framework for prevention, detection, control and eradication of animal diseases (including zoonoses), and regulates veterinary biologics, veterinary medicines, medicated feeds and animal product safety. This Act is the primary national statute linking animal-health controls to food safety.

- NAFDAC – Guidelines for Registration of Drug Products (Human & Veterinary): Requires veterinary drug manufacturers/importers to declare withdrawal periods and meet labelling, safety and quality requirements; forms the operational basis for controlling veterinary drugs, hormones and antibiotics in Nigeria. See both the “made in Nigeria” and “imported drug products” guideline documents.

- NAFDAC Regulatory Directives & VMAP (Veterinary Medicines & Allied Products) : NAFDAC issues regulatory directives (e.g., on banned veterinary drugs, on antimicrobial formulations) and VMAP guidance that restrict unsafe products, require approval/registration, and set manufacturing, marketing, monitoring rules for veterinary drugs, medicated feeds and vaccines. These directives are used to manage residues, hormone misuse and AMR risk.

- National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (Nigeria NAP-AMR) : Nigeria’s AMR National Action Plan (2017–2022; with NAP 2.0 development) sets national objectives for AMR surveillance, stewardship, laboratory strengthening, and integrated (human-animal-environment) One-Health coordination. It is the country’s roadmap for AMR monitoring in animals and animal-based food.

- NAFDAC / National Biosecurity Policy & Action Plan (NBMA, 2022–2026) : The National Biosecurity Policy provides an overarching framework for biological risk prevention, early detection and response — covering farms, laboratories, animal product movement and research; it strengthens biosecurity measures relevant to zoonoses and safe handling of biological agents.

- Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and SON Act: SON develops and publishes NIS standards and codes of hygienic practice for meat, poultry, eggs, feeds and abattoir/slaughterhouse operations; these standards guide farm and abattoir hygiene, housing, feed quality and food safety systems (including HACCP principles when applied).

- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO): Codex sets Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for veterinary drugs in foods of animal origin and provides guidance for establishing national residue control programs and acceptable analytical methods; Nigeria uses Codex MRLs and guidance as the international reference for residue safety and trade.

- OIE (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code & Manuals: The OIE Terrestrial Code provides internationally recognised standards on animal disease surveillance, prevention, control, veterinary services quality, and trade-related measures — used by Nigeria to align surveillance, outbreak response and veterinary public-health measures (zoonoses control).

- WHO / Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) and GLASS (international guidance for AMR policy and surveillance): WHO’s Global Action Plan (and GLASS surveillance framework) provides the policy and technical architecture for national AMR action plans, stewardship, surveillance and laboratory systems that Nigeria follows when designing national AMR programmes.

- VICH (Veterinary International Conference on Harmonisation) and related guidance (international technical guidance on residue studies and method validation): VICH guidance sets harmonised methods and study designs for residue depletion studies, analytical method validation and safety evaluation of veterinary drugs, these documents underpin how withdrawal periods and residue testing are scientifically determined and accepted internationally. Nigeria references these technical guidelines when evaluating drug residue data.

- ISO/IEC 17025 and NiNAS (laboratory accreditation standards): ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard for testing/ calibration lab competence; NiNAS is Nigeria’s ILAC-member accreditation body that accredits laboratories (including NAFDAC labs and private labs) to ISO 17025 for chemical and microbiological testing used in residue and pathogen surveillance. Accredited labs provide legally defensible test results for enforcement and trade.

• Regional / trade partner standards (EU, Codex, OIE) and national import/export rules (NAQS): For import/export of animals and products, Nigeria applies quarantine and health certification rules (NAQS) and aligns testing and residue limits to Codex/OIE/EU standards as needed for market access and disease prevention.
source: REGULATORY DIRECTIVE ON THE FORMULATION OF VETERINARY PRODUCT WITH NOT MORE THAN TWO(2) ANTIMICROBIALS

Adherence Fao Oie Standards Amr Monitoring

- Good Farming Practices & Biosecurity
Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development: The Department draws its mandate from the Animal Diseases Control Act NO. 10 of 1988 and the World Organization for Animal Health (Office Internationale des Epizooties-OIE) standards, recommendations and guidelines for animal health and welfare ensuring adherence by strengthening herd health, enforcing farm registration and biosecurity, and maintaining nationwide disease surveillance with rapid outbreak response. It supports sustainable livestock production, promotes private-sector involvement, and certifies animals and products for trade while providing vaccination, fair compensation during culling, and continuous training for veterinary professionals.
The system also expands veterinary public-health services—such as meat inspection, milk hygiene, and laboratory diagnostics—and engages in ongoing research and international collaboration with bodies like WOAH (OIE), FAO, Codex, AU-IBAR, and ECOWAS to maintain alignment with global animal-health standards.

Standardized Housing Nutrition Husbandry

Standards Organizations of Nigeria (SON): Nigeria applies FAO Livestock Production guidelines and OIE welfare recommendations by promoting standardized livestock housing, feeding, and welfare conditions across poultry, cattle, small ruminants, and aquaculture farms. These standards are implemented through SON’s Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) on animal feeds, feed ingredients, and farm structures, which are modeled after FAO feed-safety guidance and OIE chapters on animal production systems.
Veterinary extension services ensure that farmers adopt best practices in stocking density, ventilation, lighting, nutrition, and waste management, thereby harmonizing national production systems with internationally accepted animal-health and welfare principles.

Haccp Farm Level

Nigeria promotes HACCP-based risk management at farm level in line with FAO Codex Alimentarius HACCP guidelines and OIE recommendations on food-chain risk mitigation. SON and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture have incorporated HACCP principles into livestock production standards, guiding farms to identify contamination hazards, monitor critical points such as water quality, feed safety, drug use, animal handling, and manure disposal. Training programs, supported by NAFDAC and agricultural extension services, help farmers implement preventive controls consistent with the Codex “Code of Hygienic Practice for Meat” and OIE guidelines on reducing biological hazards in live animals before slaughter.

Disease Monitoring Vaccination

Nigeria aligns with OIE animal-disease standards by implementing national disease-surveillance and vaccination programs based on the OIE-listed disease framework and FAO emergency-preparedness guidelines. The FDVPCS conducts routine surveillance for priority zoonotic and transboundary diseases—such as avian influenza, anthrax, brucellosis, and rabies—using OIE-approved diagnostic protocols and reporting formats. Vaccination schedules in poultry, cattle, and small-ruminant systems follow OIE recommendations for disease control and are implemented through government-run vaccination campaigns, private veterinary services, and farmer cooperatives. Disease reports are submitted through Nigeria’s national epidemiological network and shared with WOAH’s World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS).

Animals On Farm

Potential Risks

Antibiotic Residues Withdrawal Periods

The Federal Department of Veterinary Services is responsible for the control of veterinary biologics, drugs/medicaments, infectious agents, veterinary pesticides and vetrinary products of biotechnology within the country, and the Chief Vetrinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON) issues permits authorizing the use of the products in the country before the products are presented and accepted to undergo statutory regulatory certification by the appropriate authority or agency as prescribed by the law.

For strict withdrawal periods : These are enforced through NAFDAC’s veterinary drug regulations embedded in the NAFDAC's “Guidelines for Registration of Drug Products (Human & Veterinary Drugs)” (Doc. Ref. No. DR&R-GDL-014-03 / DR&R-GDL-014-02), which require all veterinary medicines to carry clearly stated withdrawal periods as a compulsory condition for product registration, labeling, and approval; NAFDAC enforces compliance by regulating the manufacture, importation, distribution, and use of veterinary drugs, conducting inspections, and ensuring that any product lacking proper withdrawal-period information cannot be legally marketed or used in food-producing animals.
source: Guidelines-for-Registration-of-Drug-Products-Made-in-Nigeria-Human-and-Veterinary.pdf

Zoonotic Disease Outbreaks Biosecurity

Biosecurity measures : Nigeria has a national One Health strategic plan (2019) that integrates human, animal and environmental health management for improved health security. The plan which was jointly developed by the Federal Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), and environment as well as their agencies, strengthens Nigeria’s commitment towards a multi-sectoral collaboration for health security. Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services (FDVPCS), under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD): Leads on animal health policy, outbreak response, and veterinary public health. The National Action Plan for Health Security Federal Republic of Nigeria (2018-2022) employs strategies for active surveillance of zoonotic diseases in animals, including farm animals, wildlife, and vectors, is conducted.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): Manages public-health surveillance, outbreak investigation, and coordinates with animal health for zoonotic threats.
- • Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS): The Animal Quarantine Department exercises the veterinary functions of the Agency. It performs health inspection of export and import live animals, including dogs, cattle, cats, horses, sheep, goats, turkey, poulets/old chicks, eggs, parent stock and pet birds.
- It verifies import and export permits issued by the office of the Director, Federal Department of Livestock and Pest Control Services for the importation/exportation of animals and their products. It authenticates international veterinary certificate accompanying imported animals and their products (e.g talon, horn and hooves, blood meal, hatchable eggs, milk etc.) It also certifies veterinary health certificate which is a prerequisite for the acquisition of export permit and CITES permits from the Federal Ministry of Environment.
- The Department carries out surveillance for the presence of contagious animals and zoonotic diseases as well as other diseases of economic importance at all points of entry. It also inspects trade animals at designated quarantine control posts.
-
- • National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) : Oversees biosecurity policy, including zoonotic disease risk from animals and vectors. The National Biosecurity Policy and Action Plan (2022-2026) developed by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), is a framework for the design and implementation of programs to facilitate effective communication, collaboration and coordination of activities in a multisectoral biosecurity environment.
source: NIG209875.pdf

Cross Contamination Hygiene Protocols

Federal Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services (FDVPCS): Oversees meat inspection, slaughter processes, and animal handling to ensure contamination-free meat. It also regulates ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection in abattoirs.
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC): Enforces national food hygiene and sanitation regulations in abattoirs. It also ensures compliance with Good Hygienic Practice (GHP) and sanitation requirements. The NAFDAC Food Hygiene Regulations (2025) was developed to address Cross-Contamination in Abattoirs and Key Provisions related to cross-contamination include mandatory cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces, separation of clean and dirty zones in abattoirs (to prevent carcass contamination), provision of potable water supply and waste management and enforcement of Good Hygienic Practices (GHP).
Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): Develops Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) for meat hygiene and abattoir operations. It also aligns national standards with Codex Alimentarius. Examples of the NIS standards are the NIS Codes of Hygienic Practice for Meat and Meat Products, NIS Specifications for Slaughter Facilities and Operations. These standards regulate: Facility layout (clean vs. dirty areas), Equipment sanitation, Waste disposal systems, Slaughtering and carcass dressing methods and Packaging and storage
source: biosecurity policy

Testing Laboratories Accreditation

Accredited Labs Residue Pathogen Testing

- Veterinary drug residue and pathogen testing in Accredited laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025) for veterinary drug residue analysis and microbiological safety.
- In Nigeria, laboratories capable of testing for veterinary drug residues and pathogens operate under the regulatory oversight of NAFDAC and are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.
- The NAFDAC Central Drug Control Laboratory (CDCL) in Yaba, Lagos: serves as the primary reference laboratory for both human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and related products. Its functions include chemical analysis of veterinary drugs, detection of residues in animal-derived food products, and microbiological testing to ensure safety and compliance with national standards. The CDCL uses advanced analytical methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and microbiological assays to detect and quantify active pharmaceutical ingredients, antibiotic residues, and microbial contaminants in animal tissues and products.
- Kaduna Laboratory Services (KLS): also holds ISO 17025 accreditation and conducts chemical and microbiological analyses, covering foods, drugs, and pesticides, including components relevant to veterinary drug residues in livestock products.
- The NAFDAC Vaccines, Biologicals, and Medical Devices Laboratory: primarily focused on biologics, supports pathogen detection, quality control of veterinary vaccines, and microbial testing, contributing to the broader safety surveillance framework.

Slaughter Processing Oversight

Items

Red Meat Dairy

In Nigeria, slaughter and processing oversight for red meat and dairy is primarily carried out by the State Veterinary Services under the State Ministries of Agriculture, which supervise abattoirs, conduct ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection, and enforce hygiene and disease-control requirements in accordance with the Meat Inspection Act (Cap M4 LFN 2004) and the Animal Diseases (Control) Act, 2022. At the federal level, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and rural Development (FMARD) and its Federal Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services (FDVPCS) issue national guidelines on meat safety, dairy hygiene, and slaughter standards, while NAFDAC regulates the processing, pasteurization, packaging, and registration of processed meat and dairy products under the NAFDAC Act (Cap N1 LFN 2004) and Food, Drugs and Related Products Regulations.

White Meat Eggs

This is performed by the State Veterinary Services, which manage poultry-slaughter slabs, ensure humane handling, conduct meat inspection, and enforce biosecurity obligations under the Animal Diseases (Control) Act, 2022 and relevant State Meat Edict regulations. The FDVPCS supports national disease surveillance and poultry biosecurity compliance, especially for avian influenza control. NAFDAC regulates poultry-processing plants and egg-processing facilities to ensure compliance with Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and HACCP principles through the NAFDAC Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Regulations, while the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) enforces quality specifications for poultry meat and eggs under the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) for poultry and egg products.

Seafood

Seafood slaughter, landing, and processing oversight is managed by the Federal Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture (FDFA) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), which enforces fisheries-production requirements and sanitary measures under the Sea Fisheries Act (Cap S4 LFN 2004) and the Aquaculture Biosecurity Regulations. NAFDAC regulates fish-processing factories, frozen fish packaging, and value-added seafood through the Fish and Fishery Products Regulations, ensuring HACCP compliance for both domestic and export markets. Additionally, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) provides export inspection and certification for seafood under the NAQS Act, 2017, ensuring conformity with international (OIE/FAO) aquatic-health and safety standards, while State Ministries of Agriculture oversee local landing sites and artisanal fish-processing practices.

Honey

Honey processing oversight in Nigeria is handled by NAFDAC, which regulates honey processors, ensures product purity, controls contaminants and adulteration, and mandates proper labeling and packaging under the NAFDAC Food Products Registration Guidelines and Food Safety & Applied Nutrition Regulations. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) enforces product quality through the NIS 923: Honey Standard, which specifies acceptable honey composition, moisture content, and purity requirements. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security supervises apiculture activities, disease control in bees, and extension support under national livestock and apiculture development programs, while State Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) provide field-level monitoring and training to ensure hygienic honey harvesting and handling.

Regulatory Administrative Oversight

Meat Inspection Slaughterhouse Licensing

- National authorities for meat inspection, Slaughterhouse licensing, meat inspection and slaughterhouse operations
- State Ministries of Agriculture through their State Veterinary Services: license slaughterhouses, assign veterinary officers to conduct ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections, and enforce operational hygiene standards in line with the Meat Inspection Act (Cap M4 LFN 2004) and relevant State Meat Edicts.
- Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and its Federal Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services (FDVPCS): set the national framework for meat-inspection procedures, disease-control protocols, and minimum standards for abattoirs under the Animal Diseases (Control) Act, 2022 and national livestock-production guidelines.
- NAFDAC: For processed and packaged meat, the organization regulates factory licensing, processing operations, packaging, and labeling under the NAFDAC Act (Cap N1 LFN 2004) and the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration) Regulations
- Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): issues relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) that define structural, sanitary, and product-quality requirements for abattoirs and meat products.

Compliance Checks Microbial Processing Transport

- State Veterinary Officers and NAFDAC food-safety inspectors: they perform compliance checks for microbial contamination and meat-processing, inspect slaughter operations and ensure hygienic dressing practices under the Meat Inspection Act, and audit processing plants to verify adherence to Good Hygienic Practices (GHP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements as mandated by the Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) Regulations and the Food Premises Regulations.
- SON Nigerian Industrial Standards: define Standards for microbiological limits, water quality, carcass handling, and processing hygiene, including NIS 253 (Fresh and Frozen Meat Specifications) and NIS 432 (Hygienic Requirements for Food Processing Establishments), and these are used during compliance audits.
- For shelf-life validation and storage-temperature control, NAFDAC requires processors to follow the NAFDAC Frozen Meat Regulations, the General Labelling Regulations, and packaging rules that mandate expiry dating, cold-chain maintenance, and tamper-proof containment.
- Transport requirements for meat, including vehicle sanitation, temperature control, and carcass protection, are enforced by State Veterinary Services under municipal meat-transport regulations, supported by national guidance from FDVPCS, while NAFDAC oversees transport of packaged products under the NAFDAC Good Distribution Practice (GDP) Guidelines. Together, these agencies ensure that meat remains safe from contamination during slaughter, processing, storage, and distribution.

Animal Welfare Handling

Humane Handling Transport

- Humane handling and reduced stress in transport
- Humane handling and reduced-stress transport of livestock in Nigeria are overseen primarily by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) through the Federal Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services (FDVPCS), which enforces national welfare and biosecurity requirements under the Animal Diseases (Control) Act, 2022, particularly the provisions regulating the movement, loading, unloading, and health certification of animals.
- The State Ministries of Agriculture and their State Veterinary Services: supervise day-to-day compliance at local levels by ensuring that transport vehicles meet structural, ventilation, space, and restraint requirements, and that animals are not subjected to overcrowding, exhaustion, or mishandling during transit, as required under state Animal Welfare and Transport Regulations.
- The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): supports welfare oversight by issuing Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) Codes of Practice for livestock production and handling, such as NIS 495 (Poultry Production Code of Practice) and NIS 444 (Cattle Production Code of Practice), which incorporate principles from the OIE (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code on humane transport, stress minimization, and proper loading facilities.
- NAQS (Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service): regulates the movement of livestock across state and international borders under the NAQS Act, 2017, ensuring that animals transported for trade comply with zoo-sanitary and welfare conditions consistent with OIE standards. Together, these agencies and regulations ensure that animals are transported in a humane, safe, and low-stress manner that protects both welfare and food-safety outcomes.

Hygiene Processing Standards

Rigorous Sanitation Cross Contamination

- Rigorous sanitation to prevent cross-contamination
State Veterinary Services ensure that abattoirs comply with the Meat Inspection Act (Cap M4 LFN 2004), which mandates clean slaughter floors, hygienic tools, potable water use, and continuous sanitation of surfaces to prevent cross-contamination.
NAFDAC: enforces hygiene requirements for processed and packaged meat through the Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) Regulations, Good Hygienic Practice (GHP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): ensures compliance with NIS 432 (Hygienic Requirements for Food Processing Establishments) and NIS 253 (Fresh/Frozen Meat Specifications), which set microbial limits, sanitation routines, and facility-design requirements. Together, these provisions ensure rigorous cleaning, disinfection, and hazard control throughout the processing chain.

Proper Slaughtering Bleeding Skinning

Nigeria regulates proper slaughtering and carcass dressing through the Meat Inspection Act, which prescribes step-by-step hygienic procedures for stunning (where applicable), bleeding, skinning, evisceration, and carcass cutting under direct veterinary supervision. State Veterinary Officers must perform ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections to ensure animals are healthy and carcasses free from contamination, while FDVPCS sets national guidelines for slaughter-floor layout, equipment standards, and carcass-handling procedures in line with OIE slaughter welfare and hygiene recommendations. For processed meat products, NAFDAC enforces HACCP-based process control under the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration) Regulations, requiring processors to manage critical points during evisceration and cutting to prevent contamination. SON’s Codes of Practice for Cattle, Poultry, and Goat/Sheep Production Systems (NIS 444, NIS 495, NIS 492) also specify technical requirements for slaughter handling consistent with international norms.

Effective Waste Management

Waste management in Nigerian slaughterhouses and processing plants is regulated through a combination of veterinary and environmental laws. NESREA (National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency) enforces the National Environmental (Sanitation & Waste Control) Regulations, 2009, which mandate proper disposal of blood, offal, wastewater, and solid waste to prevent public-health hazards.
Abattoirs are required to maintain effluent-treatment systems, approved waste-disposal pits, and controlled discharge of wastewater. State Environmental Protection Agencies monitor local compliance, while State Veterinary Services ensure that animal-origin waste is handled, transported, or rendered in a manner that prevents disease spread under the Animal Diseases (Control) Act, 2022.
SON’s standards for facility sanitation (NIS 432) reinforce environmentally sound waste-management practices by requiring drainage systems, waste-segregation procedures, and environmentally safe disposal methods.

Monitoring Testing

Surveillance Contaminants Meat Dairy Eggs Honey

- Surveillance of contaminants in meat, dairy, eggs, honey
- Surveillance of chemical, microbial, and environmental contaminants in animal-based foods in Nigeria is coordinated primarily by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) through its Federal Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services (FDVPCS), which conducts national surveillance programs on zoonoses, foodborne pathogens, and farm-level contamination risks under the Animal Diseases (Control) Act, 2022.
- NAFDAC conducts routine surveillance of processed and packaged meat, dairy, eggs, and honey under the NAFDAC Act (Cap N1 LFN 2004) and the Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) Regulations, monitoring for adulterants, contaminants, and unsafe products in markets and processing plants.
- The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) supports surveillance by enforcing microbiological and chemical standards defined in Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) such as NIS 253 (Meat Products), NIS 175 (Milk & Dairy Products), NIS 368 (Eggs and Egg Products), and NIS 923 (Honey).
- For export-level monitoring, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) conducts surveillance and certification of meat, dairy, poultry, and honey intended for export under the NAQS Act, 2017, ensuring they meet international safety and phytosanitary standards.

Routine Testing Residues Microbes Pathogens

- Routine laboratory testing of meat, dairy, eggs, and honey is carried out by a network of government, accredited, and reference laboratories. The National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), provides national reference testing for pathogens, zoonoses, and antimicrobial resistance under the mandate of the NVRI Act. NAFDAC laboratories conduct chemical-residue testing, microbial analysis, pesticide assays, and quality testing on processed meat, dairy, eggs, and honey to enforce compliance with national food-safety regulations.
- The FDVPCS Veterinary Epidemiology Units collaborate with state veterinary laboratories to test slaughterhouse samples for pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria, Brucella), while State Veterinary Services collect samples during abattoir inspections for routine microbiological testing. For export consignments, NAQS laboratories conduct residue analysis, contaminants screening, and pathogen testing to meet OIE, Codex, and EU export requirements.
- Additionally, several institutions operate ISO/IEC 17025–accredited laboratories, including NVRI, NAFDAC regional labs, university veterinary laboratories, and private sector labs, to perform validated testing of antibiotics residues, heavy metals, pesticides, aflatoxins, and microbial pathogens in meat, milk, eggs, fish, and honey.

Accredited Labs Food Safety Analysis

- NAFDAC Laboratory Services for Food and Chemical: All the Laboratories operate Quality Management Systems in line with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 17025:2017, WHOGPPQCL and WHO GBT requirements. One of the laboratories, Central Drug Control Laboratory has attained the WHO Prequalification. Five of the seven Laboratories have ISO 17025:2017 Accreditation in technical scopes. The Laboratories with ISO 17025:2017 Accreditation include:Central Laboratory Complex, Oshodi, Calabar Area Laboratory, Cross River, Agulu Laboratory Services, Anambra, Kaduna Laboratory Service, Kaduna.

SON Food Technology Laboratories (Ogba): The laboratories perform Physico-Chemical and Microbiological tests on food samples in the following sub-laboratories: food Microbiology Testing, Food Physio-Chemical Testing, Micronutrients, Mycotoxins, Additives, Pesticide Residue, Alcohol and Non-Alcoholics, Tobacco, and Water Laboratory. Their locations include:
• Chemical Technology Laboratories, Lagos (Ogba)
• Engineering Laboratory, Emene, Enugu
• Textile and Leather Laboratory, Kaduna

SAAG Chemical Nigeria Ltd: This is a Private lab with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation for chemical and microbiology testing. Their scope includes food and water.

Mult-Consult Laboratories Ltd: The laboratories have obtained ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accreditation for Chemical and Microbiology Testing. Their scope includes animal feeds and other food-relevant matrices. ninas.ng

Bato Chemical Laboratories Ltd: ISO/IEC 17025-accredited and their scope includes food proximate analysis (moisture, ash, protein, fat, heavy metals).

Distribution Of Fresh And Processed Food

Food Categories

Food Of Plant Origin

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC): Distribution and retail safety oversight for food of plant origin in Nigeria is primarily carried out by NAFDAC, which regulates the sale, distribution, labeling, storage, and retail presentation of plant-based foods under the NAFDAC Act (Cap N1 LFN 2004) and the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration) Regulations.

SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria): supports oversight by ensuring that plant-based foods sold in retail outlets comply with Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) for cereals, flour, beverages, spices, vegetables, oils, and packaged foods.

State Environmental Health Officers: Local enforcement is provided by State Environmental Health Officers under the Public Health Laws of each state, who inspect markets, supermarkets, warehouses, and distribution centers for hygiene, pest control, and proper food handling.

Nigeria Customs Service and NAQS (Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service): monitor imported plant foods under the Plant Health Act to ensure phytosanitary compliance before entering retail markets.

Food Of Animal Origin

For food of animal origin (meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, honey), distribution and retail oversight is shared mainly by NAFDAC, which monitors processed and packaged animal products in supermarkets, warehouses, cold rooms, and retail outlets under the Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) Regulations and the Animal Products Regulations.

The Federal Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services (FDVPCS) and State Veterinary Services: oversee the movement, distribution, and sale of carcasses and fresh animal products, ensuring they originate from approved slaughterhouses and meet the requirements of the Animal Diseases (Control) Act, 2022.

State Environmental Health Officers: enforce hygiene standards in open markets, butcher shops, cold storage facilities, and retail meat sections.

SON: enforces conformity to NIS standards for meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey during distribution.

Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS): For imported animal products, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) conducts sanitary inspections under the Animal Health Act and Sanitary & Phytosanitary (SPS) measures before such products reach retail markets.

Authority Oversight

Government Body Regulating Processing Distribution And Retail Food Safety

- Government body regulating Processing, distribution and retail food safety
NAFDAC: is the Primary Regulator of Food Processing, Distribution and Retail. It is also the main government body responsible for ensuring the safety of processed foods and overseeing their distribution and retail sale in Nigeria. NAFDAC regulates:Processed and packaged foods (plant and animal origin), food manufacturing and processing facilities, warehousing & distribution channels, supermarkets, retail outlets, storage and cold rooms, food labeling, shelf-life, and packaging. The relevant regulations include:
• NAFDAC Act (Cap N1, LFN 2004)
• Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration) Regulations
• Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) Regulations

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): SON enforces national Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) that govern food processing, quality, packaging, and manufacturing. It regulates:
• Standards for food processing operations
• Quality benchmarks for plant and animal-based foods
• Factory inspections for certification
• Testing and conformity assessment
• Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS): NAQS under relevant legislations such as the NAQS Act, (2017), regulates the movement, import, and export of food (plant and animal origin) and ensures sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) safety before foods enter distribution channels. It also regulates:
• SPS certification for import/export
• Inspection of Food Consignments at borders

Verification Of Technical Regulations On Cross Contamination Traceability Shelf Life

NAFDAC is the lead body responsible for verifying that processed, packaged, and distributed foods comply with technical regulations on:
• Cross-contamination prevention in factories and processing plants
• Traceability systems, batch coding, and recall mechanisms
• Shelf-life validation, expiry dates, and storage conditions
• Microbial and chemical contamination risks
NAFDAC inspectors also audit manufacturing plants, warehouses, cold rooms, retail outlets, and distribution channels.

Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON): SON ensures food processors and distributors comply with Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) relating to:
• Cross-contamination prevention during processing
• Traceability requirements in supply chains
• Packaging, labelling, shelf-life, and storage
• Food-specific contamination tolerance limits
FDVPCS (Federal Dept. of Veterinary & Pest Control Services): FDVPCS verifies compliance with contamination-control regulations for fresh animal products, especially at slaughterhouses, meat processing units, poultry processing and Milk collection centers.
They also enforce rules on cross-contamination prevention, microbial contamination control and carcass traceability and movement permitting.
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) For Import/Export Traceability and Contamination Control: The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service verifies cross-contamination safeguards for export-grade food, traceability documentation for export consignments, SPS contamination controls and shelf-life and packaging compliance for imports/exports.

State Environmental Health Officers (LGA & State Level): They oversee retail handling to prevent cross-contamination, market and supermarket sanitation, cold-chain compliance, verification of shelf-life and expired products in markets and on-site contamination risk inspections.

Compliance With Transport And Storage Regulations Temperature Control

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC): enforces temperature control for perishable foods during transport, cold-chain requirements for dairy, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, vaccines, and frozen foods, standards for refrigerated trucks and cold rooms, proper storage conditions in warehouses, retail shops, and supermarkets. NAFDAC also monitors shelf-life, labeling, and storage conditions.

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): SON enforces NIS standards for cold rooms, refrigerated vehicles, food packaging, and warehousing, Storage specifications for grains, oils, beverages, dairy, frozen foods, monitoring of transport equipment used by distributors.

Veterinary and Pest Control Services (FMARD / FDVPCS): is responsible for raw animal products before they enter processing and retail. They enforce temperature control for raw meat, fish, milk, and poultry during initial transport from slaughterhouses/landing sites, hygienic handling and mandatory chilled/frozen transport, movement control documentation for animal products.

Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (Import and Export Only) (NAQS): For imported/exported foods, NAQS enforces cold-chain integrity during border inspections, temperature control for perishable export commodities.

Sanitary Conditions In Grocery Stores Supermarkets Street Vendors

NAFDAC provides oversight for packaged foods sold in supermarkets and grocery stores, ensuring proper labelling (expiry date, batch number), shelf-life compliance, safe storage conditions for processed foods, no sale of expired, adulterated, or contaminated products, inspection of supermarkets and retail stores.

Local Government Health Departments (LGAs): Local governments oversee traditional markets, street food vendors, hawkers and food carts, community-level food sanitation. They issue food handler’s Certificates, Market sanitation permits, Vendor licensing

Ministry of Environment / Sanitation Task Forces: In many states, these groups enforce weekly/Monthly sanitation inspections, closure of unhygienic stalls/shops, street food hygiene enforcement, and environmental sanitation in large retail clusters.

Hygiene And Handling Standards At Points Of Sale

* State Environmental Health Officers (EHOs): EHOs under State Ministries of Health or State Ministries of Environment are the main regulators of hygiene and food-handling at ALL points of sale. They enforce hygiene and handling standards in supermarkets and grocery stores, open markets and fresh food stalls, street vendors and food carts, restaurants, eateries, and food courts, Butcher shops & local meat stalls and Local cold rooms.
They check for cleanliness of food premises, hygienic handling practices, prevention of cross-contamination, temperature control for perishable food, storage conditions (refrigeration, freezing, shelf placement), and food handler personal hygiene (hairnets, gloves, handwashing)

* Local Government Health Departments (LGAs)
Local governments handle routine hygiene enforcement for small and informal food sellers. They enforce hygiene standards for street vendors, hawkers and food carts, community markets and Local kiosks.

Laboratories

Labs Testing Support Shelf Life Contamination Hygiene

Labs Testing Support: Labs testing shelf life, contamination, hygiene

Market Conditions

Street Vendors Hygiene And Licensing Conditions

NAFDAC enforces hygiene and handling in formal retail environments concerning packaged foods.NAFDAC oversight include ensuring products are stored under safe condition, checking expiration dates and preventing sale of expired foods, ensuring correct temperature storage of dairy, meat, frozen foods, beverages, Inspecting retail storage rooms and cold-chain equipment and ensuring packaged foods are not exposed to contamination.

Emergency, Crisis And Risk Management

Emergency Fields

Authority Responsible For Crisis Management And National Food Safety Emergencies

National Food Safety Management Committee (NFSMC): This is the National coordinating authority for food safety emergencies. The committee is responsible for leading and coordinating all national food safety emergency responses. It also conducts national-level risk assessment and risk communication, oversees national food recall systems and crisis protocols and ensures Nigeria’s alignment with Codex standards for emergency response.

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC): is the Lead enforcement and rapid-response agency for food contamination incidents. The agency conducts emergency sampling, testing, and laboratory analysis of contaminated foods, orders national recalls or market withdrawals of unsafe foods, Issues public alerts, warnings, and advisories about dangerous products and inspects and shuts down unsafe processing factories, distributors, or retail outlets.

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): Investigates and responds to outbreaks linked to contaminated food (cholera, Listeria, Salmonella, etc.), activates the Incident Coordination Centre (ICC) for national outbreak response, and conducts epidemiological tracking and case surveillance.

State Ministries of Health & State Environmental Health Officers (EHOs): functions as the state-level frontline enforcement agency. They Investigate food safety complaints and local outbreaks, close unsafe restaurants, markets, and food businesses, monitor sanitary conditions at points of sale, enforce hygiene laws in retail outlets, eateries, and street food environments. They also assist NAFDAC and NCDC during state-level responses.

Risk Management Plans Disease Outbreaks Zoonotic Or Foodborne

* National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
* National Food Safety Management Committee (NFSMC)
* Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

Training And Simulations Emergency Response Training For Inspectors And Agencies

National Food Safety Management Committee (NFSMC): is the primary authority responsible for leading national training programs on food safety emergency response, conducting inter-agency simulation exercises (with NAFDAC, NCDC, FMARD, SON, Customs), and updating national guidelines on food recalls, crisis communication, and emergency procedures. The agency also ensures alignment with Codex Alimentarius Emergency Response Framework in Nigeria.

NAFDAC: Conducts training for food businesses on recall procedures and regulatory compliance, runs mock recall exercises to verify compliance with recall protocols, issues and verifies public health warnings and safety alerts for contaminated foods. The agency also ensures manufacturers maintain recall plans, traceability records, and crisis documentation and trains inspectors on emergency sampling, testing, and contamination control.

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): Trains health workers and surveillance teams on foodborne outbreak detection, coordinates emergency drills for disease outbreaks linked to food. The agency and ensures national implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy and verifies timely reporting and communication during foodborne emergencies.

Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services (FMARD): Conducts emergency drills for zoonotic outbreaks that affect the food chain (avian flu, anthrax, etc.), trains veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, and farmers on biosecurity and emergency culling protocols and verifies compliance with animal-origin food safety emergency procedures.

Regulations And Procedures Regulations On Food Recalls And Public Alerts

NAFDAC Recall, Handling And Disposal Of Unwholesome And Adulterated Food And Food Products Regulations, 2025
National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its Implementation Plan 2023 (NPFSQIP)

National Agency for Food & Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC) Food Safety & Applied Nutrition (FSAN) Directorate GUIDELINES FOR PRODUCTION INSPECTION OF SMALL SCALE FOOD ENTERPRISES IN NIGERIA (2024).
source: NAFDAC-Recall-Disposal-and-Handling-of-Unwholesome-and-Adulterated-Food-Products-2025.pdf
source: Food-Additive-Regulations-2019.pdf

Nigeria Country Profile

Food Safety Regulations Overview