Insights: Safe Edible Oil for All: Phasing out Unbranded Bulk Edible Oil for a Healthier Nigeria

Moderator
Tijesu Ojumu – Communications Specialist, eHealth Africa

Panelists
Dominic Gulak – Senior Program Manager, eHealth Africa
Adetola Otunla – Acting Project Manager, Large-Scale Food Fortification GAIN.
Kunle Ishola – Senior Program Officer, Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN)

Summary

The 35th episode of the Insights Webinar Series, hosted by eHealth Africa, spotlighted a critical public health issue: “Safe Edible Oil for All: Phasing Out Unbranded Bulk Edible Oil for a Healthier Nigeria.” The session unpacked the dangers of unfortified oil, the scale of micronutrient deficiencies, and the collective steps needed to protect consumers.

Opening the discussion, Dominic Gulak set the tone with sobering statistics: “69% of oil in the market fails the Nigerian fortification standard… one out of three Nigerian children is deficient in vitamin A, and 82% of pregnant women lack iron.” He emphasized that fortification is both a health and economic priority, saying, “Everybody is a stakeholder and  it should be a subject of interest for us all.”

Also, Adetola Otunla explained the basics of large-scale food fortification and why unbranded oils undermine national progress. She warned that many are “not really fortified; some are not even fortified at all,” stressing that poor handling and lack of traceability make them unsafe. Highlighting the economic payoff of fortification, she noted: “It reduces illness, lowers healthcare costs, and strengthens workforce productivity.”

On his own part, Kunle Ishola outlined the role of the Third-Party Advocacy Campaign (TPAC) in driving reform, engaging policymakers, producers, and communities. He underscored the power of demand creation: “When communities insist on fortified oil, producers will respond.”

The discussion concluded with a call for stronger regulation, grassroots advocacy, and government incentives to reward compliance. The message was clear: phasing out bulk oil is not just about safer kitchens  it’s about building a healthier, more productive Nigeria.