HURIWA Demands Immediate Withdrawal Of Nutritionists’ Council Bill, Warns Against Criminalising Nigeria’s Indigenous Food Heritage

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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has demanded immediate withdrawal of Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria Bill, 2025, warning that bill threatens to criminalise Nigeria’s indigenous food heritage and place traditional nutritional knowledge under overcentralised statutory regulator.

The demand was contained in a press statement signed by Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, on 23rd October, 2026.

HURIWA said it unequivocally endorses position of Centre for African Policy Research and Advisory, CAfPRA, opposing proposed bill sponsored by Hon. Chike John Okafor, representing Ehime Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency.

Nutrition Did Not Begin With Universities

“We consider the Bill, in its present form, a deeply troubling legislative proposal that threatens to place Nigeria’s indigenous food knowledge, traditional nutritional practices and community-based systems of learning under shadow of an overcentralised statutory regulator,” HURIWA stated.
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“Nutrition did not begin with universities, professional associations or statutory councils. Long before emergence of modern nutritional science, Nigerian communities had developed sophisticated knowledge of local foods, seasonal diets, food preservation, fermentation, medicinal plants, breastfeeding, complementary feeding and nutritional properties of indigenous crops,” HURIWA noted.

The association demanded transparent, comprehensive and genuinely inclusive national consultation involving nutrition experts, traditional knowledge holders, farmers, food sovereignty advocates, public health professionals, civil society organisations and affected communities.

“This is not rejection of professional standards, scientific research or legitimate regulation of qualified nutrition practitioners. It is principled rejection of legislation that seeks to establish sweeping regulatory powers over nutrition without first guaranteeing protection of Nigeria’s cultural heritage,” HURIWA said.

Grandmother Must Not Face Legal Uncertainty For Advising Family On Traditional Foods

HURIWA raised alarm over Sections 23, 27, 28 and 30 of proposed bill which prescribe penalties for unapproved training, unregistered practice and employment of unregistered persons.

Section 23 provides for fine of up to ₦5 million or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, in specified cases involving unapproved training and certification.

“A grandmother advising her family on traditional foods, a community elder transmitting knowledge about local diets, or household maintaining inherited food preparation practices must not be placed under cloud of legal uncertainty because National Assembly failed to draw clear boundaries around proposed regulatory regime,” HURIWA warned.

Suspicious Foreign Influence Must Be Investigated

HURIWA also expressed concern over bill’s provisions permitting collaboration with international organisations, recognition of foreign qualifications, approval of training institutions outside Nigeria and receipt of grants, endowments and donations.

Sections 3, 14, 17 and 32 contain provisions that warrant particularly close scrutiny, especially Section 32(2)(c), which permits grants, endowments and donations to form part of Council’s funds without expressly establishing safeguards against external financial influence.

“Where legislation proposes to create institution with significant authority over professional standards, educational curricula and public nutritional guidance, Nigerians are entitled to demand full transparency about interests that could shape its operations,” HURIWA stated.

Nigeria’s Food Sovereignty Must Not Become Afterthought

“Nigeria’s food security challenges cannot be addressed solely through creation of another regulatory institution. They require sustained investment in local agriculture, support for smallholder farmers, improved food processing and storage, nutrition education, protection of biodiversity and stronger access to affordable, locally produced foods,” HURIWA said.

The association warned that bill proposes governing board, registrar, zonal offices, accreditation mechanisms, registration fees, annual practising fees and dedicated fund at time Nigerians face severe economic pressures.

Demands By HURIWA

HURIWA fully endorses CAfPRA’s call and makes following demands:

1. Immediate withdrawal of Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria Bill, 2025, in its present form.
2. Transparent public disclosure of consultations, research, stakeholder submissions that informed bill’s drafting.
3. Credible examination of any foreign funding, technical assistance or external advocacy associated with proposal.
4. Independent assessment of existing regulatory arrangements and necessity, cost and likely public benefits of creating separate statutory council.
5. Explicit legal protection for indigenous, traditional, cultural and family-based food knowledge.
6. Any future proposal must clearly define activities covered, establish proportionate penalties and provide transparent safeguards against arbitrary enforcement.
7. Any future regulatory framework must prioritise Nigeria’s food sovereignty, local food systems and indigenous knowledge.
8. Clear safeguards must be established for foreign grants, donations, partnerships and externally developed standards.

“Food is not merely technical subject for licensed practitioners. It is inseparable from culture, agriculture, livelihoods, public health, family life and national sovereignty. Nigeria must not surrender its nutritional heritage through legislative omission,” HURIWA concluded.

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