By Aaron Ossai
The House of Representatives has begun moves to establish a regulatory framework for nutrition practice in Nigeria, with lawmakers and stakeholders meeting on Tuesday to consider a bill seeking to establish the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria.
The proposed legislation is aimed at strengthening professional standards, improving the quality of nutrition services and protecting Nigerians from harmful or misleading nutritional advice.
Declaring the public hearing open, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said the establishment of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security reflected the legislature’s recognition of nutrition as a critical factor in public health, education, healthcare expenditure and national development.
Abbas urged stakeholders to contribute constructively to the legislative process to ensure that the proposed law addresses the country’s needs and provides an effective framework for regulating the profession.
He stressed that the success of the bill should not be measured merely by the establishment of another government institution, but by its ability to improve professional competence, protect citizens and raise the standard of nutrition services.
“The measure of this bill will not be the creation of another institution but whether it strengthens professional competence, protects Nigerians from harmful or misleading advice and improves the quality of nutrition services available to the public,” he said.
The Speaker added that an effective regulatory framework could strengthen preventive healthcare, reduce avoidable health burdens and promote a healthier and more productive population.
He called for a balance between the ambition to improve professional regulation and the need to ensure that the proposed council would have clear responsibilities, workable institutions and a credible implementation framework.
“A sound law must address a demonstrable need, establish workable institutions and provide a credible pathway from legislative intent to effective implementation,” Abbas said.
He commended the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, chaired by Hon. Chike Okafor, and other stakeholders, including the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, for their contributions to the proposed legislation.
Earlier, Okafor said the public hearing was convened to obtain evidence, recommendations and opinions from citizens, experts and professional groups before the bill is finalised.
He assured participants that the committee had not taken a predetermined position on the proposal, adding that submissions both for and against the bill would be considered before recommendations were presented to the House for further legislative action.
“As a committee, we have no bias or already decided opinion, but we will collate all opinions canvassed by you today, either for or against, before making our recommendation to the general House in plenary for consideration,” he said.
Okafor urged participants to regard their contributions as an opportunity to shape legislation and advance national development, stressing that the committee was committed to producing effective laws.
He also praised Abbas for supporting the creation of the Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, describing it as a significant development in the history of the National Assembly.
According to him, the Speaker’s support for establishing similar committees in state Houses of Assembly further demonstrates the importance attached to nutrition and food security in governance.
The public hearing represents a step in the legislative process towards determining the appropriate framework for registering nutrition professionals, setting standards and ensuring accountability in the delivery of nutrition services.
Stakeholders’ submissions are expected to guide the committee’s recommendations as the House considers the proposed bill.
