The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to begin mandatory hepatitis screening for all food vendors and handlers across Abuja. The move aims to improve food safety and protect public health in the city.
The announcement was made in a goodwill message by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to mark **World Hepatitis Day 2025**. The message was delivered on his behalf by the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe.
According to the statement, the screening will target food handlers working in restaurants, markets, bakeries, and canteens across the FCT. The goal is to reduce the spread of hepatitis A and E—often caused by contaminated food and water—as well as hepatitis B and C, which can be transmitted through blood and poor hygiene.
“Food handlers are often overlooked, yet they play a vital role in public health,” Dr. Fasawe said. “This initiative will ensure safer food handling and give the public more confidence in the food they consume.”
The program will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to combine government oversight with private sector efficiency and resources. It will also include mandatory training in hygiene and hepatitis awareness, routine medical screening, and enforcement of food safety standards.
The FCTA urged all stakeholders—government agencies, health workers, food businesses, and the public—to support the initiative and help remove the stigma surrounding hepatitis.
“This is about turning our food industry into a symbol of health and excellence,” Dr. Fasawe added. “Hygiene cannot wait. Screening cannot wait. Action cannot wait.”
Abuja, as Nigeria’s capital city, has a fast-growing population and food industry. With increasing health risks linked to poor food handling and hygiene, the FCTA’s move is part of a broader push to improve public health standards and reduce preventable disease outbreaks through better monitoring and enforcement.
