Nigerian dietitians ask NASS to drop nutritionists’ council bill, warn of quackery

The Institute for Dietetics in Nigeria (IDN) has called on the National Assembly to drop a proposed bill that seeks to create the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria. They warned this bill could lead to quackery and lower professional standards.

The institute stated that if the bill is approved, it could confuse regulatory bodies and hurt efforts to ensure that only qualified professionals work in nutrition and dietetics.

Tajudeen Ahmed, the National President of the institute, shared these concerns while talking to journalists at the National Assembly on Monday.

Mr Ahmed said the focus should be on completing the Dietitians Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2022. He believes pursuing another bill could create overlapping responsibilities.

The House of Representatives passed the Dietitians Council of Nigeria Bill (HB 515) in May 2023. This bill aims to set up a proper framework for regulating the dietetics profession. The Senate followed by passing the bill in October 2025.

The bill is now waiting for the president's approval, while a new bill to set up the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria has also been introduced in the House of Representatives.

Mr Ahmed pointed out that the proposed Nutritionists Registration Council bill does not clearly ensure that only qualified and certified professionals can practice in nutrition and dietetics.

"IDN supports proper statutory regulation of qualified professionals working in nutrition and dietetics. But HB 2659, which is reportedly backed by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), is not the right framework for that goal. In its current form, the Bill could create a second regulatory body with powers that overlap with those under the Dietitians Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB 515)."

He added that creating two councils with competing authority over nutrition and dietetics education, registration, and professional conduct would lead to confusion and unnecessary costs. It would also weaken protections available to patients and the public in Nigeria.

Mr Ahmed stressed that the Dietitians Council of Nigeria bill already offers a solid framework for regulating the nutrition and dietetics profession.

He argued that forming the proposed Nutritionists Registration Council would just duplicate what is already covered by the existing bill.

"The Dietitians Council of Nigeria Bill provides a solid framework for regulating nutrition and dietetics. It covers professional education, registration, ethical standards, public health nutrition, community practice, research, policy collaboration, food systems, public education, and clinical dietetic practice."

He continued, "So, the proposed Nutritionists Registration Council would take on many of the same duties and create confusion about which council should regulate integrated Nutrition and Dietetics programs in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of health sciences and technology."

Dietitians and nutritionists play key roles in preventing and managing diseases, improving maternal and child health, and tackling malnutrition, which is still a big public health issue in Nigeria.

Their work goes beyond just giving advice on food. In hospitals, dietitians assess patients' nutritional needs and create diet plans that aid in treatment and recovery. They help manage nutrition-related problems in patients with diabetes, kidney disease, heart issues, and others recovering from surgery or dealing with severe malnutrition.

They also support the nutritional needs of pregnant women, infants, children, and elderly people who need special care. In public health, nutrition professionals help create dietary guidelines, educate communities about healthy eating, and help shape policies for better food and nutrition security.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that good nutrition is crucial for maternal and child health, strong immune systems, and preventing diseases that aren't infectious. They also warn that malnutrition includes both lack of nutrients and excess or unbalanced intake, leading to obesity and diet-related illnesses.

In Nigeria, where the health system needs to address both undernutrition and rising diet-related diseases, qualified nutrition professionals are vital for both preventive care and clinical treatment.

Nigeria has set up academic and professional paths for training dietitians and nutritionists. However, these two areas are not always the same, especially in clinical practice.

Dietitians usually get specialized training in nutrition and dietetics, including clinical assessment, therapeutic diets, hands-on training, and managing patients who need nutrition help due to their conditions.

Nutritionists may work in a broader range of fields, like public health nutrition, nutrition research, food policy, community education, and food systems. Their specific skills depend on their education and training.

There can be some overlap between the two professions, particularly in public health and community nutrition. But knowing the difference is important for figuring out who can provide clinical dietary care, how to register professionals, and which body should oversee their practice.

The Institute for Dietetics in Nigeria believes the profession needs a statutory council that sets clear standards for training, registration, professional behavior, and clinical practice. They argue that the Dietitians Council of Nigeria bill already covers these needs.