HURIWA asks National Assembly to withdraw nutritionists' council bill
- HURIWA wants the Nutritionists Registration of Nigeria Bill, 2025 withdrawn, saying it could restrict traditional food knowledge.
- The group question penalties of up to ₦5m or five years in prison under sections of the bill.
- It ask for wider consultation with farmers, nutrition experts and traditional knowledge holders before any new law.
A civil society group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), don ask the National Assembly to withdraw the proposed Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria Bill, 2025, saying it could expose indigenous food knowledge to unnecessary legal restrictions.
HURIWA make the call for one statement wey its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, sign on October 23. Di group talk say dem dey support the position of the Centre for African Policy Research and Advisory (CAfPRA), wey don oppose the bill.
Hon. Chike John Okafor, wey represent Ehime Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency for House of Representatives, na im sponsor the bill.
Wetin di group dey worry about
HURIWA talk say di bill, as e be now, fit set up one strong central regulator without enough protection for Nigeria local foods and community-based nutritional knowledge.
Di group talk say Nigerian families and farming communities don dey pass down knowledge of local foods, seasonal diets, fermentation, food preservation, medicinal plants and breastfeeding for long time, and di bill no clearly separate formal nutrition services from ordinary family guidance.
E single out Sections 23, 27, 28 and 30, wey set penalties for offences like unapproved training, unregistered practice and employing unregistered persons. According to HURIWA, Section 23 provide for fine of up to ₦5m or up to five years in prison, or both, in some cases.
Di group talk say because di bill no define nutrition practice well, and no get exemptions for traditional and family-based knowledge, people fit no know whether their activities fall under di law.
HURIWA stress say dem no dey against professional standards, scientific research or regulation of qualified nutrition practitioners. Dem also talk say traditional practices no suppose be treated as automatically valid, and say harmful practices and false health claims still suppose dey covered by existing laws.
Di group raise more questions about provisions wey allow di proposed council to work with foreign bodies, recognise foreign qualifications and receive grants and donations. E ask for transparent disclosure of funding sources and safeguards against conflicts of interest, but note say foreign funding or cooperation no suppose be treated as wrongdoing by itself.
E also question whether a new statutory council, with governing board, registrar, offices, staff, accreditation systems and registration fees, dey necessary or financially sustainable.
Wetin go happen next
HURIWA want make dem withdraw di bill and make di consultations behind its drafting public. E also want farmers and traditional knowledge holders to get real seat for any future regulatory framework, and e dey urge Okafor and di relevant legislative committee to reconsider di proposal.
Whether di National Assembly go act on di call no clear from di sources yet.
