Nigeria’s Dietitians Reject Proposed Nutritionists Council Bill

The Institute for Dietetics in Nigeria has publicly withdrawn its support for a proposed bill that would establish a new regulatory body for nutritionists, citing concerns that it could encourage unqualified practitioners and erode professional standards.

Tajudeen Ahmed Opposes Second Regulatory Bill

The decision comes after the Institute’s National President, Tajudeen Ahmed, testified before the National Assembly on Monday. He argued that the already‑existing Dietitians Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, which has passed both chambers and is awaiting presidential assent, provides a sufficient framework for regulating the profession. Ahmed warned that the introduction of the second bill, HB 2659, championed by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, would create a parallel regulatory environment with overlapping mandates.

This duplication, he said, would lead to confusion among employers, health‑care facilities and the public about which council holds authority over matters such as education, registration, ethical codes and disciplinary action. The Institute pledged that fostering clear, single‑stream oversight is crucial for protecting patient safety and sustaining public trust in nutritional care.

The Dietitians Council of Nigeria Bill itself was originally introduced in 2022 and has since been approved by the House of Representatives in May 2023 and the Senate in October 2025. It outlines standards for educational programmes, professional practice, research, policy collaboration, and community outreach. With the new Nutritionists Registration Council proposal in the pipeline, the Institute argues that the country risks unnecessary administrative duplication and comparative spending, without yielding tangible benefits to service delivery or public health outcomes.

Dietitians Council Bill Overview And Critique

Beyond legislative debate, the Institute highlighted the vital role that dietitians and nutritionists play across the health system. From advising on dietary choices to designing hospital meal plans that support patient recovery, the profession is integral to addressing malnutrition and preventing chronic disease. Ahmed emphasised that strengthening regulation will help ensure that only qualified, certified professionals contribute to these outcomes.

In this context, the Institute calls for the government to focus resources on concluding the Dietitians Council of Nigeria Bill, rather than pursuing a second, overlapping regulatory body. This approach, the Institute believes, would consolidate authority, reduce conflict, and ultimately benefit Nigerian patients and the wider public health sector.