Lagos govt trains women entrepreneurs in food packaging, labelling, and safety compliance with NAFDAC

NIGERIA – The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has trained 250 women entrepreneurs in food packaging, labelling rules, hygiene and safety standards, and compliance procedures in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Bolaji Dada, explained that the training was a deliberate effort to strengthen women-led enterprises and expand their access to broader and more competitive markets. 

She noted that if women are adequately equipped with the right information, they are better positioned to grow sustainable businesses, support their families, and contribute meaningfully to the economy of the state.

The Critical Role of Packaging in Market Access

For small-scale food processors, packaging is not merely a container, it is a marketing tool, a compliance document, and a shelf-life determinant all at once. 

Poorly sealed packaging leads to spoilage and customer rejection; incorrect labelling results in regulatory penalties; unattractive design limits retail placement. 

NAFDAC’s involvement ensures that participants learn the specific labelling requirements for nutrition information, date marking, ingredient declaration, and batch coding that apply to packaged food products sold in Nigeria.

Bridging the Regulatory Information Gap

Dada observed that from small processing centres to roadside trading, women continue to demonstrate resilience and determination. 

However, she noted that many women still struggle, not because of lack of skill or commitment, but because of limited access to the right technical and regulatory information needed to scale their businesses and meet required standards. 

The commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment to building pathways of empowerment for vulnerable women through skills development, knowledge transfer, and strategic partnerships.

NAFDAC’s Focus on Quality and Safety

Dr Nelly Anselm-Onuwa, a Deputy Director at NAFDAC, stated that the training placed emphasis on quality control, compliance requirements, and consumer protection for women entrepreneurs. 

She highlighted food safety as essential, urging entrepreneurs to ensure products remain fresh from production to sale. 

The deputy director reiterated the agency’s commitment to safeguard the health of Nigerians through quality and standard regulations.

When a Label Becomes a License to Sell

A well-sealed package with a compliant label is not just food, it is market-ready inventory. Lagos State’s training of 250 women in NAFDAC-compliant packaging turns home processors into formal suppliers. 

For Nigeria’s food value chain, that knowledge transfer is not charity; it is quality assurance.

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