Alarming Surge: Nigeria Grapples with Over 200,000 Annual Deaths from Food Poisoning Crisis

In a shocking revelation at the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2023 (GS-23) held in Abuja, Nigeria, concerns are escalating as the country records over 200,000 deaths annually due to food poisoning. The event, organized by the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, unveiled the grim reality of unsafe food practices leading to a significant loss of lives.

Osenega Orokpo, wife of Apostle Michael Orokpo and a prominent social media influencer, emphasized the alarming rates of food poisoning in Nigeria and other African nations. She pointed to unsafe food preparation and preservation practices resulting from poor processing and the absence of robust monitoring systems.

Stakeholders at the summit identified various hazardous practices, including the use of chemicals like sniper for agricultural commodity storage, carbide for fruit ripening, and harmful additives in food processing. The consequences range from liver and kidney failures to cancer.

Addressing the crisis, Osenega Orokpo advocated for resilient food systems and emphasized the crucial role of women in the food value chain, highlighting that 47 percent of farmers in this chain are women. She proposed proactive interventions, such as advocacy and the implementation of safety measures throughout the entire food supply chain.

The chairman of the NESG Policy and Innovation Centre, Mr. Udeme Ufot, highlighted the summit as a platform for collective commitment and action to build a gender-inclusive society. Representatives from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) expressed deep concern over the impact of food-borne diseases, emphasizing the vulnerability of infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and immune-compromised individuals.

NAFDAC Director General, Prof Moji Adeyeye, launched a campaign against harmful practices, including drug hawking and fruit ripening with dangerous chemicals. The urgency to address the issue was echoed by experts like Jennifer Egbo, who stressed the importance of awareness, sensitization, and training to combat food contamination.

International voices, such as United States-based Nutritionist Chinonso Ezenwako, warned of the persistent problem unless the government takes substantial measures in overseeing food preparation and processing. Concerned Nigerians, including Mr. Anthony Ugwuoke and Dr. Pogu Bitrus, emphasized the need for stringent control measures, proper training, and a return to more traditional farming techniques.

Alhaji Yerima Shettima called for accountability, stating that those responsible for ensuring food quality must be diligent. Dr. Uche Okenyi from Hova’s Place Hospital emphasized the need for education, awareness campaigns, and increased investment in healthcare to address the magnitude of the food poisoning crisis. The collective consensus is that immediate and comprehensive action is imperative to prevent further loss of lives in Nigeria.