Reps Halt Bill to Ban Unbranded Cooking Oils in Nigeria

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives in Nigeria stepped down a bill that sought to prohibit the production, importation, distribution, sale, and consumption of unbranded and unfortified edible oils. The bill, sponsored by Chike Okafor, the member representing Ehime/Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, was presented for a second reading but was deferred due to concerns raised by lawmakers regarding its provisions and the insufficient distribution of the bill's copies.

Okafor argued that the legislation aimed to mitigate public health risks associated with the consumption of unbranded oils, noting that approximately 67% of Nigerians consume such oils, while only 31% of oils in circulation are fortified. The bill includes penalties for offenders and allows a transition period for compliance.

However, opposition emerged from lawmakers like Paschal Agbodike and Gaza Gbefwi, who warned that the bill could threaten the livelihoods of small-scale producers, particularly in rural areas where palm oil production is vital.