LAGOS, NIGERIA — All 17 wheat flour milling sites across Nigeria have joined Millers for Nutrition, a coalition of food fortification stakeholders dedicated to helping millers fortify staple foods and improve health outcomes.

The 100% sector participation milestone represents an industry-wide commitment to improve the nutritional value of wheat flour through proper fortification practices that add essential vitamins and minerals, Millers for Nutrition said in its Dec. 19 announcement.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an estimated 2 million Nigerian children face severe acute malnutrition, while only 20% receive treatment. The situation also affects women, with 7% of those of childbearing age experiencing acute malnutrition themselves. Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country with nearly 230 million people.

“I express my sincere gratitude to the Nigeria wheat flour millers for their commitment to improving the nutritional value of their products,” said Ayodele Tella, senior program manager, Millers for Nutrition. “By joining Millers for Nutrition, these millers have demonstrated a remarkable dedication to the health and well-being of Nigerian consumers. This initiative will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians.”

Millers for Nutrition aims to make producing correctly fortified, nutritious food easier and more rewarding for millers. The coalition’s approach connects millers to industry experts, suppliers, social enterprises, and other solution providers to access technical assistance and specialized training on industry best practices. The support from partners aims to improve the nutritional value of staple foods but also improves operational efficiencies and competitiveness of the businesses.

Gbelee Oluwasanmi Stanley, quality control manager at Nigeria Eagles Flour Mills, said the coalition’s collaboration with regulatory bodies to ensure fortification compliance drew him to the growing initiative. 

“In quality control, there is no room for compromise, you simply have to get it right,” he said. “The benefits of this initiative extend far beyond compliance. The technical support provided enables us to consistently deliver products that meet the highest nutritional standards. I strongly encourage millers from other sectors to join this movement. When we prioritize nutrition through proper fortification, we are not just meeting standards, we are delivering the quality products our consumers deserve.”