Dangote, Ehanire, Others Pledge to Tackle Malnutrition

As part of efforts to address the high rate of malnutrition in Nigeria, the President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo and other stakeholders have pledged to achieve 90 per cent compliance on food fortification in the country by 2020.

Speaking at a press briefing to mark the 2nd Annual Nigeria Food Processing and Nutrition

Leadership Forum in Lagos last night, Dangote said last year, the country’s fortified food compliance rate was 50 per cent, adding that it has now improved to 75 per cent, insisting that by 2020, it is projected to reach 90 per cent if all hands are on deck.

He said: “The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration of Nigeria (NAFDAC) should not only focus on the big players in the food business, they should go after small players as well. That way, we will meet the 90 per cent target.

“On our part as a company, we have ensured Dangote Rice is fortified. We know there’s presently a mandate on all locally made rice to be fortified. We trust NAFDAC and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to ensure this is complied with. We do not expect to have foreign rice in the country anymore, but should they come, the regulatory bodies should also ensure they meet the standard.”

Ehanire, on his part, said fortification of food will play a role in addressing malnutrition in the country, adding that children and adults with lack of micronutrients can get them back with fortified foods.

He said: “We encourage fresh foods like vegetable, fruits, and the likes, but for persons who do not take these, fortified foods offer broad nutrients needed. You can imagine what happens when the body lacks iron, iodine, calcium and the likes.”