The Federal Government’s newly launched National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services has received strong commendation from Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA). The advocacy group described the initiative as a major victory for public health that will protect millions of Nigerians who rely on publicly funded programs for their daily meals.
The policy, published in December 2025 and officially unveiled in Abuja on Monday, July 13, 2026, was developed by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP), key government agencies, and civil society partners. It establishes strict nutritional benchmarks for food served in schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, NYSC camps, and internally displaced persons (IDP) shelters across the country.
A Landmark Shift to Nutrition-Centric Public Meals
For years, Nigeria’s public food systems operated without uniform nutritional standards, often prioritizing low costs over health. This lack of regulation frequently led to the distribution of highly processed foods loaded with salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats to vulnerable populations.
Reacting to the policy launch, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, emphasized that the government must leverage its purchasing power to drive positive health outcomes.
“Government remains one of the country’s largest purchasers of food,” Oluwafemi stated. “Every day, millions of meals are served through schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, NYSC camps, IDP camps and other public institutions. What government chooses to buy inevitably shapes what millions of Nigerians eat. The Guidelines recognise that public procurement is not just another purchasing activity but a powerful public health intervention.”
Strict Limits on Sugar, Sodium, and Trans Fats
The new guidelines introduce aggressive measures to curb diet-related diseases. The policy bans the procurement and sale of sugar-sweetened beverages and artificial sweeteners in public institutions. It also implements strict maximum sodium thresholds in line with the National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction, 2024.
Under these rules, a single adult meal served by a public institution must not exceed 35 percent of the recommended daily sodium intake, which translates to 700 milligrams of sodium or 1.75 grams of salt. Nutritional targets will be adjusted proportionally for children and other vulnerable demographics.
Additionally, the guidelines prohibit the purchase of partially hydrogenated oils and restrict trans fats to no more than two grams per 100 grams of total fat. Food manufacturers supplying public institutions are now required to display clear trans-fat content labels on all packaging.
Boosting Local Agriculture and Securing Accountability
Beyond nutrition, the policy mandates that at least 30 percent of institutional food procurement budgets be directed toward smallholder farmers and community vendors. CAPPA noted that this local-sourcing requirement will strengthen rural livelihoods, secure food systems, and ensure fresher produce reaches public institutions.
However, CAPPA warned that the guidelines will only be as effective as their enforcement. The group urged the BPP to immediately set up the National Food Procurement Oversight Committee (NFPOC) to monitor institutional compliance, inspect kitchens, and publish independent annual performance audits.
“Launching the Guidelines is an important first step,” Oluwafemi added. “The real measure of success will depend on how faithfully these standards are applied in everyday procurement and food service operations. Procurement officers, caterers, contractors and food service providers must receive the training and support required to comply.”
CAPPA called on state and local governments to swiftly adopt and implement these federal standards, pledging to work alongside government agencies and international partners, including Resolve to Save Lives and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, to monitor compliance across the country.
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