08/08/2026
OSOA FOODS convened World Food Safety Day and World MSMEs Day 2026 commemoration.
The Theory of Change is the application of Science Based Behavioral shift of mindset through the Introduction of Food Safety Culture among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), operating across the food supply chain with specific focus on Edible Fruits and Vegetables aimed on Nutritional Retention of micro nutrients to reduce foodborne illnesses, mitigate malnutrition of all forms as well as sustainable food security for all.
The 2026 program held at the Babajide Sanwo-Olu International Market Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ketu, Lagos which remains one of the busiest markets hubs for fresh produce in Lagos State, that handles an estimated volume of 15, 000 tonnes of fresh Fruits and Vegetables monthly.
We believe people are malleable and emotional actors whose decision making is influenced by contextual cues, local social networks, social norms and shared mental models. All these play important roles in determining what individuals perceive as desirable, possible or even thinkable for their lives.
https://youtu.be/-ys1iFuFK-Y
https://youtu.be/92ojerTrwqE?si=J0LXO8N-8YmUctxk
Our new approach enhanced understanding of the development process and the way development policies and interventions can be designed and implemented. We realized how impediments to people’s ability to process information and the ways societies shape mindsets can be sources of development disadvantage but can also be changed using Social Innovation in the Agrifood Systems - An inclusive solution that addresses the Food Safety gaps in the Agrifood Systems that meets the needs of consumer health and safety through a multi-stakeholder community engagement process. Given the complexity of Agrifood Systems challenges, the need for an innovation lens withing the Agrifood Sector has become essential to enhance food safety.
Traditional to Modern Integrated Post Harvest Management Practices for indigenous fruits and vegetables with focus on nutrient retention, strengthening nutrition sensitive food systems by holistic application of advanced food safety management systems. Capacity Building for proper identification of critical control points/areas for farmers, aggregator, wholesalers, retailers and other actors as well as appropriate actions to be taken from farm to table management of edible fruits and vegetables for improving diet quality, reduction of foodborne illnesses and diseases, mitigating food loss and waste and fostering resilient and inclusive sustainable food systems in Nigeria can not be overemphasized.
Theme: From Burden to Solutions - Safe Food Everywhere.
The program focuses on enhancing the competitiveness and market access of Nigerian Businesses in regional as well as opportunities in the international trade with emphasis on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the food supply chain using Social and Behavioural Science to address Food Safety in the Agrifood Systems.
Programs include - Sanitation Control, Environmental Monitoring, Hygiene Design, Sustainable Food Systems (Examples Reducing Post Harvest Loss through Cold Chain Solutions, Introduction and Adoption of Eco-friendly Packaging).
This aims to engage MSMEs in the horticultural Food systems (Edible Fruits and Vegetables) on global best practices on post-harvest physiology practices in order to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases and illnesses as well as food loss and waste with the outcome of compliance to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework, healthy food systems and regulatory goals.
By prioritizing Nutritional Retention through Food Safety Sensitization, this directly protects child cognitive growth, safeguard National Human Capital, and reduces long term public health spending on preventable non-communicable diseases.
This is an inclusive solution using social innovation approaches including community engagement, gender inclusion and local embedding to address the burden associated with Agrifood Systems in order to meet needs of consumer health and safety through multi-stakeholders community engagement process.
The programme focuses on Agrifoods, Processed Foods and Agritech MSMEs.
We are committed to build capacities, mitigate challenges by opening up opportunities and increase potentials for growth and development of MSMEs operating in the Food Systems especially edible fruits and vegetables.
Sincere appreciations to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government at the Federal, State and Local levels who partnered with us on this call.
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)
Lagos State Ministry of Health
Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources
Lagos Agriculture and Food Systems
Lagos State Ministry of Commerce Cooperatives Trade and Investment
Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA)
Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA)
Lagos State Safety Commission
Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA)
Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA)
Lagos State Command Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
Nigeria Police Force Ketu Division
Head (Babaloja) Association of Farmers, Market Aggregators and Vendors Babajide Sanwo-Olu International Market Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Ketu, Lagos.
Head (Iyaloja) Association of Farmers, Market Aggregators and Vendors Babajide Sanwo-Olu International Market Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Ketu, Lagos.
Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations, Private Organisations, Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), and other collaborating Organizations.
We express our gratitude to the Executive Chairman, Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Princess Samiat Bada Precious for her unflinching support towards the successful completion of the program.
Our heartfelt appreciation to Flour Mills of Nigeria Golden Penny Foods UAC Foods Limited, Beloxxi Biscuits for their invaluable support towards the successful hosting of the program.
Special thanks go to Stanbic IBTC Bank for enlightening MSMEs on available financial opportunities to accelerate and scale their businesses.
Our sincere gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria Department of Food Safety and Quality Program for the strategic partnership and support given to us engage to us even as we engage to build capacities of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), operating across the food supply chain aimed to improve and correct challenges associated operational malpractices due to lack of technical know-how in the Agrifood Systems with the outcome of economic prosperity for all as well as improved consumer safety, wellness and health.
https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/world-food-safety-day-2025/wfsd-news/news-details/en/c/1760218/
https://thenews-chronicle.com/fccpc-urges-stakeholders-to-prioritise-fruit-safety-consumer-protection/
https://hub247news.com/nafdac-fccpc-others-partners-osoa-foods-advocacy-on-food-safety-msme-growth/
https://nationaldailyng.com/nafdac-fccpc-others-partners-osoa-foods-advocacy-on-food-safety-msme-growth/
https://guardian.ng/news/stakeholders-back-advocacy-on-food-safety-msmes-growth/
