By Abimbola Joseph
CITIZENS COMPASS— The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, yesterday, called for stronger collective action to ensure food safety nationwide.
Adeyeye, represented by an assistant director in the agency, Mr Samuel Ukpi, made the call on at the World Food Safety Day and World MSME Day celebration organised by OSOA Foods in Ketu, Lagos.
She described food safety as a fundamental human right requiring sustained commitment from governments, businesses and consumers.
According to her, the 2026 World Food Safety Day theme, “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere,” demands practical and collaborative measures.
“World Food Safety Day serves as a reminder that food safety is a fundamental human right requiring collective commitment to ensure safe, nutritious food access,” she said.
Adeyeye said unsafe food remained a major global public health challenge, causing economic losses, malnutrition, reduced productivity, food waste, rejected exports and preventable deaths worldwide.
Citing World Health Organisation statistics, she said about 600 million people fall ill annually from contaminated food, while approximately 420,000 deaths occur yearly, with children under five particularly vulnerable.
“Achieving safe food everywhere requires sustained implementation of best practices throughout the food chain, including good hygiene, agricultural, manufacturing, storage, distribution and safety management standards,” she said.
She said governments, food businesses and consumers shared responsibility for food safety through stronger regulations, hazard control systems, surveillance mechanisms, technological innovations and proper food handling practices.
Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to risk-based inspections, scientific regulation, stakeholder partnerships and capacity building, particularly for MSMEs involved in food production and processing.
“Compliance is an investment rather than a cost and is necessary for building resilient food systems nationwide,” she said.
Speaking, the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, represented by Miss Omowunmi Ibraheem, said foodborne diseases remained a significant public health concern.
He noted, however, that such diseases could be prevented through science-based decisions, effective regulation and collective responsibility.
According to him, food safety extends beyond regulatory compliance, protects lives, builds public confidence, supports economic growth and enhances the reputation of Lagos’ food service industry.
Mojola reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to safety excellence through advocacy, training, capacity building and collaboration, urging stakeholders to strengthen compliance mechanisms.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, represented by Mrs Adewale Abiodun, said the joint celebration highlighted opportunities for growth.
She said foodborne illnesses and supply chain inefficiencies continued to burden communities and businesses, stressing that Lagos had integrated food safety into economic development and MSME empowerment programmes.
“The joint celebration of World Food Safety Day and World MSME Day underscores transforming challenges into opportunities,” she said.
Ambrose-Medebem highlighted interventions including LSETF and Lagos CARES, saying they had provided billions of naira in loans and grants to help businesses recover, expand and adopt modern practices.
She said the Produce for Lagos Programme, backed by a N500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund, connects farmers to markets through cold-chain infrastructure, efficient logistics systems and guaranteed produce offtake arrangements.
The commissioner also highlighted enforcement of hygiene standards, promotion of HACCP systems and investments in food security infrastructure, including the Lagos Central Food Security and Logistics Hub in Epe.
“Stronger collaboration among regulators, food businesses, development partners and consumers is essential. Sustained investments, public awareness and innovation will ensure safe food access and prosperous MSMEs,” she said.
Also, the Director-General of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, Mr Afolabi Solebo, represented by Mr Raheem Lucas, emphasised that safe food requires collective responsibility, stronger awareness, collaboration and commitment from stakeholders.
Earlier, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA Chairman, Princess Samiat Bada, represented by Vice Chairman, Mr Olayinka Ogunleye, warned fruit sellers against using chemicals for preservation.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of OSOA Foods, Mr Solomon Oyeniran, called for stronger collaboration to promote food safety and strengthen MSMEs in the agrifood sector.
