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Oluwasanmi Moses Odeniran, a food safety expert and Quality Development Associate at Ardent Mills, is calling on Nigerian authorities to tighten food safety enforcement in local markets to curb rising contamination risks and prevent foodborne illnesses.
With over six years of combined industry and academic experience, Odeniran is sounding the alarm on what he describes as a looming public health crisis fueled by lax food safety oversight in the country’s open markets.
Speaking with The Nation, Odeniran expressed concern over the growing number of foodborne illnesses such as typhoid and cholera linked to poor hygiene practices, lack of refrigeration, and improper food handling in Nigeria’s informal markets. “Nigerians deserve food that is safe from farm to fork,” he said. “But right now, too much of our food supply is at risk because markets across the country operate with little to no regulatory oversight.”
Currently working with the largest milling company in the United States, Odeniran has firsthand knowledge of international food safety standards and is advocating for their adaptation to Nigeria’s local context. He identified several pressing risks in local markets, including exposure to contaminated surfaces, poor waste disposal, and chemical spoilage due to inadequate storage.
“These are preventable dangers,” he said. “The heartbreaking reality is that children, the elderly, and rural dwellers—those most vulnerable—bear the brunt of our failure to enforce food safety standards. This is not just a scientific issue; it’s a justice issue.”
To address the crisis, Odeniran is proposing a multi-stakeholder approach involving agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and local government councils. He stressed the need for collaboration with market unions and food vendor associations to implement mandatory training and routine inspections.
“We need to empower our vendors—not penalize them,” he told The Nation. “With the right training, infrastructure, and incentives, small traders can become champions of public health. They are not the problem—they’re part of the solution.”
Odeniran also highlighted the need for government investment in essential infrastructure, such as cold storage facilities, shaded market stalls, portable water sources, and proper waste disposal systems. These, he said, would not only improve hygiene but also reduce post-harvest losses that cost the Nigerian economy billions annually.
Drawing from his U.S.-based experience, he suggested that Nigeria could develop a scalable, cost-effective food safety model tailored to market realities. He called for a shift in policy that views food safety as integral to both public health and national development. “A safe food supply is a foundation for a strong economy,” he noted.
In addition to government reforms, Odeniran emphasized the importance of consumer education. He urged media outlets, public health NGOs, and advocacy groups to raise awareness about safe food handling and hygiene, particularly in underserved communities. “People must know their rights to safe food and be empowered to demand it,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Odeniran issued a passionate call to action: “Nigeria cannot afford to treat food safety as an afterthought any longer. It must be a national priority. The time for bold reforms is now—we can do better, and we must.”
