Abuja: The Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST) has urged the inclusion of licensed food science and technology professionals in the execution of the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services. This call was made during a courtesy visit by NiCFoST’s leadership to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ngozi Anyaelezu, Assistant Chief Information Officer at BPP, highlighted that the inclusion of these professionals was a focal point of the discussions. Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of BPP, praised NiCFoST for its dedication and proactive approach. He emphasized that public procurement serves as a strategic tool for national development, economic growth, and public health. Adedokun assured that BPP would collaborate with NiCFoST to review and potentially incorporate their insights into the national guidelines.
Adedokun emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in ensuring optimal use of public funds while protecting the health of Nigerians. He mentioned that President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu support enhancing food procurement quality and promoting nutritious diets. The national guidelines, he noted, are mandated by an Act of Parliament and require full implementation and regular updates.
Mrs. Veronica Eze, Registrar/CEO of NiCFoST, acknowledged the Federal Government and BPP for launching the guidelines. She noted that NiCFoST, founded in 2019, is tasked with regulating food science and technology practices in Nigeria. Eze pointed out a critical gap in the guidelines, which do not explicitly acknowledge the role of licensed professionals in ensuring food safety standards across the value chain.
Eze emphasized that food procurement processes must incorporate scientifically managed practices by competent professionals to ensure safety and nutrition. She urged for the recognition and inclusion of NiCFoST as a technical stakeholder in implementing and reviewing the guidelines. Eze also advocated for employing qualified food science and technology professionals in public food procurement and sourcing from regulated vendors.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from BPP and NiCFoST to create a joint technical framework for effective compliance, monitoring, and evaluation of food procurement processes nationwide. The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the guidelines, unveiled on July 13, aim to enhance diet quality, public health, and governance. Developed with various stakeholders, the guidelines provide a detailed framework for procurement planning and execution, ensuring only qualified suppliers are engaged.