Food safety remains a pressing concern in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. From microbial contamination to chemical residues and poor handling practices, the consequences are profound, impacting public health, economic competitiveness, and trade. 

Recognising the gravity of these issues, the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), headquartered in Ilorin, Kwara State, introduced the NSPRI Food Safety Policy (NSPRI-FSP), a seven-year framework (2024–2030) designed to modernise and strengthen food safety practices, particularly in postharvest management.

This article is a detailed breakdown of the NSPRI-FSP, exploring its goals, structure, strategic direction, and implications for Nigeria’s food safety.

Policy Background 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), unsafe food causes an estimated 420,000 deaths globally each year, with children under five bearing a disproportionate burden. In Nigeria, outbreaks of food poisoning, aflatoxin exposure, and pesticide misuse are frequently reported.

As food chains become more complex, moving from traditional to industrial and export-oriented production, the risks associated with food safety increase. In response to these challenges, the NSPRI Food Safety Policy (NSPRI-FSP) has been developed to address gaps in enforcement, fragmented coordination, and weak compliance frameworks. This initiative not only seeks to enhance public trust in food safety but also aims to build public confidence, attract international investment, and safeguard consumer health.

The Mission and Objectives of NSPRI Food Safety Policy

The mission of the NSPRI-FSP is to provide safe food using scientifically validated technologies and implement risk-based safety control systems throughout the entire food supply chain, from farm to table.

Its overarching goal is to consolidate and enhance postharvest food safety control mechanisms within NSPRI’s scope, while ensuring compliance with both local and international trade standards.

Key objectives of NSPRI-FSP:

• Enhancing food safety through institutional capacity building and human resource development
• Establishing a national communication mechanism for food safety stakeholders
• Strengthening research, validation, certification, and self-assessment tools for food safety
• Improving quality control systems and surveillance mechanisms across the value chain

What are the Key Issues That the NSPRI -Food Safety Policy Addresses? 

The policy identifies and seeks to correct a wide range of food safety gaps, including:

• Weak postharvest surveillance and laboratory certification systems
• Inadequate awareness and education among food handlers
• The misuse of pesticides, chemical residues, and non-food-grade packaging materials
• Poor hygiene in storage and processing facilities
• Limited adoption of validated food preservation technologies
  

Significantly, the policy integrates the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) framework, a globally recognised preventive system that systematically assesses and mitigates biological, chemical, and physical hazards across critical points in the food supply chain.

The Legal and Institutional Framework of NSPRI -Food Safety Policy 

The policy is grounded in existing Nigerian food safety laws, including:

• The Food, Drugs and Related Products Act (Cap F32, LFN 2004)
• The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act
• The Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act (Cap C34)
• Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Decree No. 56 of 1971, among others

Despite these legal instruments, Nigeria’s food safety regime has been characterised by fragmentation and weak enforcement. The NSPRI-FSP seeks to overcome this by providing a postharvest-focused operational framework that complements national and international protocols such as the Codex Alimentarius and the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety.

The Scope and Application of NSPRI -Food Safety Policy

The NSPRI-FSP applies to all activities within NSPRI’s operational remit, including:

• Research and development initiatives
• Food storage and processing operations
• Risk analysis and laboratory testing procedures
• Technology deployment for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs)

Additionally, the framework sets clear expectations for compliance with national and international standards, such as ISO 22000, for food safety management systems. It also stresses the importance of promoting a culture of safety across public and private actors.

Strategic Pillars and Implementation of NSPRI -Food Safety Policy

The NSPRI-FSP is structured around institutional capacity-building and stakeholder collaboration. Below is a breakdown of the roles:

1. Management
   • Procure and deploy modern lab equipment
   • Train staff across all departments in quality control and safety systems
   • Partner with regulatory agencies, academia, and private stakeholders
   • Develop a “farm-to-table” monitoring and evaluation framework
2. Staff
   • Conduct research on risk assessment and HACCP integration
   • Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
   • Apply SOPs to maintain the integrity of stored products
3. Stakeholders

Stakeholders, including food producers, processors, NGOs, and certifying bodies, are tasked with:

• Advocating for and complying with safety regulations
• Contributing insights to enhance policy responsiveness
• Educating food handlers and consumers on food safety practices

4. Government

• Provide budgetary support for NSPRI and its partners
• Enforce regulations and mandate food safety adherence nationwide
• Provide budgetary support for NSPRI and its partners
• Enforce regulations and mandate food safety adherence nationwide

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Policy Cycle

The NSPRI-FSP outlines a seven-year implementation timeline (2024–2030), with annual reviews to account for technological advancements, emerging risks, and implementation outcomes. 

A dedicated M&E team will:

• Track indicators such as compliance rates and disease reduction
• Detect and statistically analyse non-compliance events
• Convene annual review meetings with all stakeholders

Potential Impact of the Policy

The policy is poised to deliver broad-based benefits, including:

• Public health gains by reducing foodborne illnesses
• Economic competitiveness through improved export standards and reduced losses
• Food security by improving postharvest preservation and reducing waste
• Job creation in food safety services, training, and inspection systems.

Additionally, the policy aligns with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Challenges and Considerations for Successful Policy Implementation

Despite its strengths, successful implementation will hinge on a few critical factors:

• Funding reliability, particularly needed for necessary laboratory upgrades and training programs to improve capabilities.
• Cross-agency coordination, avoiding duplication of efforts among agencies such as  NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control), SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria), NSPRI (National Stored Products Research Institute), and local councils.
• Enforcement capability, ensuring that the policy’s principles go beyond documentation into real-world compliance
• Stakeholder ownership, especially among smallholder farmers and food processors who may lack access to technology or training, can hinder their ability to comply with the new standards.

Furthermore, the policy must be flexible enough to adapt to climate-related risks such as increased pest infestations and mycotoxin prevalence, which are known to spike during erratic rainfall or postharvest humidity.

The NSPRI Food Safety Policy represents a significant step toward modernising Nigeria’s food safety systems, with a focused lens on postharvest. By implementing science-based, risk-oriented practices into institutional processes and stakeholder behaviour, the policy addresses long-standing inefficiencies and positions Nigeria to compete in global food markets.

The success of the NSPRI -Food Safety Policy will rest on a strong governance framework, robust public–private partnerships, and sustained political will. For agricultural enthusiasts, researchers, and policy actors, the NSPRI-FSP offers both a blueprint and a benchmark for driving food safety across Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.

If you are seeking actionable steps to support the policy implementation, explore our guide on Practical Strategies for Farmers and Stakeholders to Navigate Policy Challenges.