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Nigeria has recorded a major breakthrough in global food standards development after securing international approval for a new standard on root and tuber flours, a milestone expected to improve food safety, expand agricultural exports and strengthen the country’s presence in the fast-growing global gluten-free food market.
The approval was secured at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49), where the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria, successfully obtained endorsement for a New Work Proposal to develop a Group Standard for Root (Sweet Potato) and Tuber (Yam) Flours.
The achievement, led by the Director-General and Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, has been widely hailed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), food safety experts and regional stakeholders as a significant step that reinforces Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping international food standards.
Applauding Dr. Okeke and the SON team, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, described the approval as a landmark accomplishment that reflects Nigeria’s expanding leadership in global standardisation.
According to the minister, the development aligns with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda by improving product quality, enhancing market access and increasing the competitiveness of Nigerian agricultural products in international markets.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission noted that the proposed international standard would strengthen consumer health protection, improve regulatory systems, promote fair practices in international food trade and help reduce post-harvest losses.
The Commission observed that root and tuber crops, including yam, cassava and sweet potato, are staple foods for millions of people across the world and are becoming increasingly important commercially due to rising global demand for gluten-free products.
Industry stakeholders noted that the absence of an internationally recognised Codex standard for root and tuber flours had constrained global trade in the commodities. They said Nigeria’s successful proposal would remove a major barrier, create new export opportunities and improve access to international markets for locally processed products.
Members of the Nigeria National Codex Committee described the approval as a significant national achievement and evidence of Nigeria’s active contribution to global food governance.
The FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAFRICA) also commended Nigeria, stating that the initiative would promote harmonised food standards across Africa, strengthen food control systems and enhance regional and international trade in root and tuber products.
Similarly, President of the Mycotoxicology Society of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Adetunji, described the development as a major contribution to global food safety and science-based international standard-setting.
Chairman of the Gambia Standards Bureau, Dr. Ernest Aubee, also congratulated Nigeria and SON, expressing confidence in the country’s continued leadership in developing international food standards.
Analysts said the approval positions Nigeria to play a more prominent role in shaping future global standards for indigenous agricultural commodities while attracting greater investment in processing, value addition and export-oriented production.
For SON, the milestone underscores its commitment to promoting internationally accepted standards that protect consumers, facilitate trade, strengthen food security and support sustainable economic development.
Okeke led the Nigerian delegation that secured the approval at CAC49, a development expected to significantly boost the international acceptance and export potential of Nigerian root and tuber flour products, while opening new opportunities for the country’s agro-processing sector.
