The Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NICFST) began a sensitisation campaign in Kano State on Tuesday, targeting stakeholders on the importance of processing and packaging agricultural products to meet global standards. The initiative was launched at a forum that reviewed a pilot survey of food facilities—specifically food‑business operations—in five selected local government areas (LGAs) of the state.
Professor Hafiz Abubakar, a council member, highlighted that the meeting marks the start of operations for the newly inaugurated NICFST. Established by law on 16 October 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the agency is tasked with regulating the food science and technology profession in line with international best practices. Its vision is “the efficient professional management of various segments of the Nigerian food value chains and supply systems following current best scientific practices for food security,” and its mission is “to promote the highest standards in the training and practice of the food science and technology profession in Nigeria.” Professor Abubakar emphasized that sensitising the public to add value to food will improve health outcomes and boost the economy. He called on local governments—where most micro‑economic food activities occur—to cooperate and support micro‑enterprise initiatives that will benefit from this venture.
In her remarks, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Mrs Veronica Eze, represented by Bello Kabiru, urged stakeholders to add value to agricultural products such as sorghum (dawa), which is used by Cadbury and Nestlé for Bournvita and Milo, respectively. She encouraged participants from the five Kano LGAs to seize the opportunity to apply science and technology not only for export‑oriented value addition but also for the broader socio‑economic development of the country.
Mrs Eze also noted that NICFST will work closely with the State Ministry of Health to implement reforms in food safety management. This collaboration will focus on regulating food‑service businesses, including street vendors, caterers, market sellers, and mobile food operators. NICFST expects the Ministry’s support in ensuring that inspectors and regulators are registered and licensed food scientists and technologists—Certified Food Scientists of Nigeria (CFSN). Together, they will develop an action plan to adopt these strategies across the state and LGAs, with NICFST providing scientific expertise and timely summaries on major or urgent food‑related matters whenever needed.
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