Food vendors, bakers, market sellers, and restaurant staff across the Federal Capital Territory will now face mandatory hepatitis screenings, the FCT Administration has announced. The move is part of a wider crackdown on unsafe food handling and rising cases of preventable diseases.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike disclosed the policy in a statement to mark the 2025 World Hepatitis Day, read on his behalf by Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment. Wike described the new screening initiative as a public health necessity in Abuja’s fast-growing and diverse population.
According to Lere Olayinka, the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, the screenings will target Hepatitis A and E — spread largely through contaminated food and water — as well as Hepatitis B and C, which pose risks through blood contact and poor hygiene practices.
“This is about protecting lives,” Wike said. “Food handlers are not just service providers; they are essential public health stewards.”
The programme will be delivered through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, combining government regulation with private sector capacity and funding. The approach is designed to meet Nigeria’s National Policy on Food Safety and Quality, while also providing a more sustainable model for enforcement.
The FCT Health Secretariat will also promote free Hepatitis B vaccinations at public hospitals, introduce standardised hygiene training for food handlers, and carry out routine inspections of kitchens, markets, and food kiosks.
Wike called on government agencies, health professionals, and private businesses to support what he described as a “transformative” health drive. “Hygiene cannot wait. Screening cannot wait. Action cannot wait,” he said.
The screenings are expected to begin within the quarter, with full enforcement rolled out in phases.
