Segun Atanda/
The Consumer Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI) has urged the Federal Government to ensure that Nigeria’s new National Halal Economic Strategy does not violate the country’s secular character, compromise existing food safety regulations, or create religious bias in national policy implementation.
In its latest advocacy brief released in Lagos, CAFSANI said the government’s decision to key into the multi-trillion-dollar global halal economy must be backed by strong scientific evidence, regulatory neutrality, and constitutional safeguards that protect all Nigerian consumers irrespective of faith.
The organization noted that while global halal markets now cut across food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, finance, and tourism, with countries like Brazil, Thailand, South Korea, and the UK investing heavily, Nigeria must avoid adopting a model that blurs the line between economic expansion and religious endorsement.
CAFSANI warned that without clear limits and transparency, the halal initiative could be misinterpreted as a state-driven religious agenda, especially in a culturally sensitive and religiously diverse nation like Nigeria.
According to the position paper, any halal regulatory system must operate strictly within Nigeria’s existing national institutions, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The group cautioned against creating parallel regulatory bodies based on religious doctrine, imposing unintended compliance obligations on businesses, or allowing religious-based processes to overshadow statutory food safety requirements.
CAFSANI added that beyond the risk of undermining Nigeria’s secular constitution, the halal initiative must not create new regulatory overlaps at a time when the country is actively working to streamline, merge, and reduce the number of regulatory authorities.
“A secular, neutral regulatory framework ensures that the halal system functions as a market-driven service, not a state-endorsed religious mandate,” CAFSANI stated.
Beyond certification symbols, CAFSANI emphasized that halal-labeled products must still meet Nigeria’s strict food safety, hygiene, and nutritional standards. It insisted on evidence-based verification, laboratory testing, and transparent labeling to prevent consumer deception and misinformation.
The brief highlighted the urgency of aligning halal certification with the National Food Safety and Quality Bill, which the National Assembly is expected to finalize soon.
While acknowledging the economic potential of halal markets, CAFSANI stressed that Nigeria must avoid discriminatory practices, monopolies, or religiously driven market segmentation.
Key principles outlined include:
• Equal access to halal certification for all producers
• Cost-efficient processes for MSMEs
• Fair competition between halal and non-halal products
• Strict avoidance of exclusion or preferential treatment
An inclusive model, the advocacy group said, will drive growth, innovation, and export competitiveness without marginalizing any group.
CAFSANI warned that halal certification should never be positioned as a substitute for existing quality assurance frameworks.
“Public health and consumer safety must remain the paramount requirements of our food governance system,” the brief stated.
Given Nigeria’s historical religious sensitivities, the group urged government agencies to adopt balanced communication, avoid polarizing language, and ensure inclusive consultations across all religious, industry, and consumer groups.
While recognizing the opportunities available within the global halal ecosystem, CAFSANI called on the government to ensure that Nigeria’s participation remains:
• Secular and constitutionally aligned
• Evidence-based and scientifically verifiable
• Voluntary, transparent, and rights-focused
• Inclusive of all market participants
CAFSANI reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s fragile food safety system and promoting equitable standards for over 220 million consumers.
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