About the National Fortification Project

A coordinated national effort to eliminate micronutrient malnutrition through food fortification — for every Nigerian, in every community.

Who We Are

The National Fortification Alliance (NFA)

The National Fortification Alliance is a multi-sectoral coordination platform established to strengthen the implementation of food fortification programmes in Nigeria through collaboration among government agencies, regulatory institutions, private sector stakeholders, development partners, academia, professional associations, civil society organizations, and the media.

The Alliance provides a platform for policy dialogue, technical coordination, compliance monitoring, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, laboratory strengthening, public awareness creation, and nutrition programme implementation.

OUR MISSION

Eliminate Hidden Hunger

To coordinate and strengthen national efforts in food fortification through multi-sectoral collaboration, regulatory support, stakeholder engagement, quality assurance systems, and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing micronutrient deficiencies in Nigeria.

OUR VISION

A Nourished Nigeria

A Nigeria free from preventable micronutrient deficiencies through sustainable access to safe, quality, and adequately fortified foods.

The Scale of the Problem

Nigeria's Hidden Hunger Crisis

37%

Child Stunting Rate

37% of children under 5 are stunted — one of the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

30%

Vitamin A Deficiency

Nearly 1 in 3 children are Vitamin A deficient, risking blindness, immune weakness, and developmental impact.

72%

Women with Anaemia

72% of women of reproductive age are anaemic, primarily due to iron deficiency — with serious maternal and infant health consequences.

NFA by the Numbers

Key Statistics & Compliance

Current data on national fortification coverage, compliance levels, and the underlying nutritional challenges being addressed across Nigeria.

2002

Programme Initiation

The year Nigeria's mandatory food fortification programme was officially launched.

NFA Established2004

57%

National Compliance

Average compliance across all mandatory food vehicles in Nigeria.

Salt (Iodized)67%

Veg Oil (Vit A)58%

Flour (Vit A)48%

37%

Child Stunting

Prevalence of stunting among children under five years of age.

Vitamin A Deficiency~30%

Anaemia (Women)60–70%

92%

Calcium Inadequacy

High prevalence of calcium deficiency across children and pregnant women.

Non-Pregnant Women95%

Pregnant Women92%

Children92%

Our History

Two Decades of Progress

Mandatory food fortification of selected staple food vehicles—including wheat flour, maize flour, sugar, and vegetable oil—commenced in Nigeria in 2002 as a core national strategy for combating micronutrient deficiencies. In 2004, the NFA was formally established under the chairmanship of the then National Planning Commission to mobilize stakeholders for coordinated implementation.

2004

Nigeria enacts the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Fortification) Regulation, making fortification mandatory for key staple foods.

2011

WFP Nigeria launches the National Fortification Project with NAFDAC to strengthen enforcement and processor capacity across 6 key food vehicles.

2016

Coverage of Vitamin A-fortified vegetable oil reaches 70% of households. NFA introduces the national quality mark seal for certified products.

2020

NFP expands to include Maize Flour and Wheat Flour in NAFDAC's mass fortification mandate. Premix fund established for small processors.

2024

Over 200 processors certified across 36 states, reaching 12M+ consumers. NFP achieves 68% household coverage of fortified staple foods.

Strategic Priorities