The Human Rights and Wellness Association (HURIWA) has urged the National Assembly to withdraw the proposed Nutritionists’ Council Bill, citing a lack of clarity regarding professional boundaries. The group argued that the legislation fails to draw a clear line between professional nutritional services and the everyday transmission of traditional dietary knowledge or ordinary family guidance.
This distinction, HURIWA maintains, is essential to prevent the bill from overreaching into domestic and cultural practices. In its critique of the proposed Nutritionists’ Council Bill, the association expressed concerns that the current wording could inadvertently penalise the passing down of traditional nutritional wisdom within Nigerian communities.
The controversy centres on the potential for the bill to criminalise or restrict the informal transfer of dietary information. While the legislation seeks to standardise the profession, HURIWA contends that the definitions provided are too broad to protect citizens who rely on traditional wellness practices.
Concerns over professional boundaries
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a formal council to regulate the practice of nutritionists in Nigeria, aiming to standardise the profession and protect public health through official certification. However, HURIWA contends that the bill’s definitions are not precise enough to separate regulated clinical nutrition from the informal guidance provided by families and community elders.
The association noted that without clear legislative boundaries, the act of sharing cultural dietary information—which has been central to Nigerian heritage for generations—could be viewed as an unlicensed professional activity. This lack of precision poses a risk to the social fabric of communities where nutritional knowledge is passed down orally and through domestic practice.
The call for the bill’s withdrawal comes as the National Assembly continues to review various professional regulatory bills aimed at tightening oversight in the health sector. While the drive for professionalisation is widely supported, the feedback from HURIWA suggests that the legislative framework for nutritionists requires more nuanced drafting to ensure it does not stifle traditional knowledge.
The National Assembly has yet to respond to the association’s demand for the bill’s withdrawal. The bill remains under legislative review, and its progress will depend on whether the relevant committees decide to amend the text to address these concerns before a final vote is taken.
Explore more News stories from Business Elites Africa.
