* New identity reflects commitment to global compliance: Prof. Oreagba
* Halal economy is about trade, not Islamisation, says Imam Ibrahim
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One of the highlights of the press conference was the announcement of the Fifth International Halal Seminar, scheduled for August 19 at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme, Halal Development Beyond Borders.
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The Halal Certification Authority (HCA) has officially rebranded as the Halal and Haram Distinction Development Initiative (HDI), unveiling a new corporate identity as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in the global halal economy, promote inclusivity and secure international recognition.
Speaking at the unveiling, the Chairman of HDI, Professor Ibrahim Oreagba, said the new identity goes beyond a mere change of name, explaining that it embodies the organisation’s commitment to ethical standards, global compliance, transparency and consumer confidence.
The organisation announced the rebranding on Monday, July 6, during a press conference in Lagos, describing the move as a strategic transformation that reflects its expanded mandate after nearly a decade of operations.
Muslim News gathered that the briefing, held at the organisation’s conference hall in the Hajj Mabrur Building, Lagos, was attended by members of the management team, staff, Islamic scholars, industry stakeholders and journalists from various media organisations.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the journey of the Halal Certification Authority as we unveil our strategic rebranding into the Halal and Haram Distinction Development Initiative for Inclusivity,” Oreagba said while addressing journalists, including Muslim News Nigeria.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the journey of the Halal Certification Authority as we unveil our strategic rebranding into the Halal and Haram Distinction Development Initiative for Inclusivity,” Prof. Oreagba said, while addressing the media, including Muslim News Nigeria.
He explained that HCA was established in 2016 as a faith based certification body responsible for developing halal product standards and conducting inspections in accordance with Islamic law.
According to him, the organisation has since grown into Nigeria’s leading halal certification body, certifying more than 100 companies and over 300 products across sectors including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, tourism and packaging.
Prof. Oreagba said major companies including Flour Mills, BUA Foods, Rite Foods and Domino’s Pizza have received halal certification through the organisation.
He added that the organisation remains committed to developing halal standards that conform with Islamic principles and internationally accepted requirements, while providing certification services, building human capacity, promoting traceability through technology and collaborating with stakeholders to strengthen the halal industry.
Aligns with Tinubu’s Halal Economy Strategy
The chairman said the rebranding aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s National Halal Economy Strategy unveiled earlier this year and positions the organisation to play a bigger role in developing Nigeria’s halal ecosystem.
He noted that the global halal economy is valued at more than 7.7 trillion dollars, presenting enormous opportunities for Nigeria to increase exports and attract investments through internationally recognised halal certification.
“Halal certification must be understood beyond religious boundaries. It represents ethical, safe and high quality products that benefit all consumers regardless of faith,” he said.
Prof. Oreagba also disclosed that HDI is pursuing international recognition from Malaysia’s JAKIM and Indonesia’s BPJPH to improve the acceptance of Nigerian halal certified products in global markets.
One of the highlights of the press conference was the announcement of the Fifth International Halal Seminar, scheduled for August 19 at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme, Halal Development Beyond Borders.
Prof. Oreagba said the seminar will feature capacity building sessions, expert presentations, masterclasses on halal standards, business matchmaking opportunities and a halal products exhibition aimed at advancing the growth of Nigeria’s halal industry.
HCA’s growth made rebranding inevitable: Dr. Ajani
Also speaking, the Secretary General of HDI, Dr Shakirudeen Ajani, said the rebranding was informed by the organisation’s steady growth and the need to align with evolving global realities.
According to him, the organisation has expanded significantly over the past decade, making it necessary to adopt a broader identity that reflects its increasing responsibilities beyond certification.
“If you look at the history of HCA, we are marking about ten years of existence. At a particular stage in the life of every organisation, there is a need for rebranding. Over the past five or six years, we have expanded our client base and our activities. We also have to move in line with global best practices,” he said.
Dr. Ajani added that the transition was carefully planned to ensure the organisation remains relevant internationally while meeting the expectations of local consumers.
“We are not changing the name for the sake of changing it. We want a brand that fits our environment, aligns with global standards and also meets the expectations of our local consumers,” he said.
HDI partners SMEs, leads drive against fake halal certification: Alhaji Ajala
The Director of Compliance and Regulations, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Ajala, said HDI has intensified efforts to support Small and Medium Enterprises, revealing that about 28 SMEs have already been enrolled into its halal certification programme.
He identified Ameer Farms and several indigenous food manufacturers among businesses that have received certification, adding that discussions are ongoing with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria to enable more local businesses obtain halal certification and compete in international markets.
Alhaji Ajala also disclosed that HDI is leading efforts to establish a national association of halal certification bodies in Nigeria to harmonise standards, eliminate fake halal certification and strengthen consumer confidence.
“When consumers see a halal logo, they should be confident that the product is genuinely halal. One of our objectives is to eliminate fake halal logos and ensure that only products that meet the required standards carry halal certification,” he said.
On regulation, Alhaji Ajala explained that the organisation works closely with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria while also adopting internationally recognised halal standards developed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation through the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries.
The Director of Compliance and Regulations said Nigeria continues to domesticate relevant international halal standards to ensure locally certified products remain competitive globally.
Every halal certified product undergoes laboratory analysis: HDI Analyst
Speaking on the certification process, the organisation’s Chief Analyst, Mrs Kabirat Ajani, explained that halal certification is based on both Islamic jurisprudence and scientific evaluation.
She said every product undergoes detailed laboratory analysis to determine both its permissibility under Islamic law and its wholesomeness before certification is granted.
“Our work is based on both Shariah principles and empirical scientific evidence. Every certified product passes through laboratory analysis to establish its safety and wholesomeness before certification is issued,” she said.
Mrs Ajani, however, clarified that once products leave manufacturing facilities, responsibility for monitoring storage conditions and market compliance shifts to regulatory agencies such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, while cases involving misuse of halal logos are referred to the appropriate authorities.
Sheikh Sherif Ibrahim dismisses Islamisation claims over halal economy
Addressing concerns that the expansion of the halal economy amounts to an attempt to Islamise Nigeria, the Lead Imam of the organisation, Sheikh Sherifdeen Ibrahim, dismissed the claim as unfounded.
“There is nothing like Islamising Nigeria through halal. Halal has gone beyond religion. It is now about economics, quality assurance and regulatory compliance,” he said.
He argued that the world’s biggest exporters of halal products to Muslim majority countries are non Muslim nations including Brazil, India, the United States, China and Australia.
“If halal was a tool for Islamisation, would anyone say Brazil, America or China are being Islamised? These countries dominate the global halal market because they understand its economic value,” he said.
The respected Muslim scholar attributed misconceptions surrounding the halal economy to inadequate public awareness and urged sustained education to help Nigerians better understand the economic and consumer benefits of halal certification.
He said the rebranded HDI would continue working with regulators, manufacturers, certification bodies and consumers to build a transparent, credible and internationally recognised halal ecosystem capable of boosting Nigeria’s exports and contributing to national economic development.
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