The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to enforce a mandatory hepatitis screening exercise for food handlers in Abuja, as part of efforts to improve public health and food safety.
The screening will cover workers in restaurants, markets, bakeries, canteens, and other food-related businesses across the nation’s capital.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Lere Olayinka, the senior special assistant on public communications and social media, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced that the initiative is designed to prevent hepatitis and other foodborne illnesses.
The program aims to safeguard public health while enhancing the credibility and operational confidence of food-related businesses across the FCT.
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Wike, represented by Adedolapo Fasawe, said the screening initiative in a goodwill message to mark the 2025 World Hepatitis event, delivered by the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat,
The Minister highlighted the serious public health risks associated with the spread of Hepatitis A, B, C, and E, emphasizing that food handlers remain an often overlooked yet crucial group in the effort to protect public health.
He explained that Hepatitis A and E, which are primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water, can spread quickly in environments with poor hygiene—posing significant risks in Abuja, a rapidly growing and cosmopolitan city. He added that Hepatitis B and C, which are mainly spread through blood and bodily fluids, also pose a threat in food environments, particularly where open wounds or unhygienic practices exist.
In response to these concerns, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration is launching a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing food safety through comprehensive hepatitis screening for all food handlers. This initiative is being scaled up through an innovative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) consortium, aligned with the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality.
The PPP will bring together the efficiency, technical expertise, and funding capabilities of the private sector with the oversight and regulatory framework of the government to ensure regular and mandatory Hepatitis B and C screening for all food handlers in the FCT.
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The Minister called on stakeholders—including private enterprises, food industry operators, healthcare providers, and government agencies—to support the initiative. He stated that the program would involve mandatory hepatitis screenings for food handlers, the promotion of free and effective Hepatitis B vaccination at public health facilities, and the enforcement of standardised food safety training that includes hepatitis awareness.
He further urged broad support for the initiative through strengthened licensing requirements, routine hygiene inspections, compulsory medical screenings for food vendors, and efforts to raise awareness while addressing the stigma surrounding hepatitis with compassion and empathy.
He emphasised that food handlers should not be seen merely as service providers but as vital public health stewards. He noted that simple, consistent hygiene practices could drastically reduce the transmission of hepatitis.
He concluded with a call to urgent action: hygiene cannot wait, screening cannot wait, and action cannot wait. The FCT must lead by example, transforming the food industry into a model of health, safety, and excellence.
