The global halal industry is booming and Nigeria could gain significantly by embracing its lessons. This was the message delivered on Thursday by Muhammad Fahdi Bin Mohamed Sobri, Assistant Director in the Policy Division of Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), during a community engagement event hosted by the Halal Certification Authority (HCA).
The session, held at the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque Hall in Alausa, Ikeja, brought together halal business operators and community leaders for a constructive exchange and enhancing Halal standards, certification processes, and promoting faith-based economic development.
Speaking with Muslim News on the sidelines of the event, Muhammad Fahdi disclosed that Malaysia currently certifies over 3,000 companies through JAKIM, a figure he said reflects the country’s commitment to halal standards in food and other consumer goods.
He urged Nigerian regulators and industry stakeholders to adopt similar frameworks to strengthen consumer trust and industry compliance.
The senior official emphasised the significance of halal certification for all consumers and said the consumption of halal‑certified products must be understood beyond religious boundaries. “As Muslims, it is compulsory for us to consume what Allah has made lawful,” he explained, referencing the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Muhammad Fahdi commended HCA for organising the forum and described his first visit to Lagos and indeed Africa as rewarding. He called on HCA to deepen engagement with the government, and ramp up training and re‑training for firms on halal certification standards.
Nigeria lacks government-recognised Halal regulatory body – HCA Chairman
The Chairman of HCA, Professor Ibrahim Oreagba said that Nigeria currently does not have a government-recognised regulatory body specifically overseeing the Halal industry. He however noted that several private and state-recognised Halal certification bodies, including HCA, are actively working to fill the regulatory gap.
“For now, HCA is the leading Halal certification body in Nigeria. Because there’s no government-established regulatory body for Halal at the moment, we are seeking recognition from JAKIM, the Halal regulatory body in Malaysia,” he said, stressing “having a national regulatory authority would make our work much easier and more standardised.”
Prof Oreagba revealed that in just eight years of operation, HCA has certified over 100 companies and more than 300 products across Nigeria.
According to him, “We focus on products. A company might produce several items, but they decide which ones they want certified. Certifying a product as Halal doesn’t mean the whole company is Halal. It applies specifically to those certified items.”
Despite the absence of a dedicated regulatory authority, the Chairman, who is also the National President of Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), said the Nigerian government is taking steps to develop a Halal infrastructure and establish a roadmap that could lead to the formation of a proper regulatory body.
“There’s a technical committee on the Halal roadmap set up by the federal government. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is also playing a key role,” he noted.
According to him, SON is currently working through various committees, particularly in the food sector, to ensure that any Halal certifications in Nigeria align with globally recognised standards.
“Although SON regulates all types of standards and can be seen as a de facto Halal authority for now, Halal is still emerging in Nigeria. With time and the right structure, we believe a proper regulatory body will be established to oversee and coordinate all Halal certification bodies nationwide,” he concluded.
Halal certification key to ethical, quality products
Prof. Oreagba expressed appreciation to the representatives of JAKIM and participants, describing the gathering as a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to deepen global understanding of Halal and implement Halal standards across multiple sectors in Nigeria.
“As we gather here today, we are reminded of the importance of Halal certification in promoting ethical, safe, and high-quality products that meet the diverse needs of Muslim consumers around the world,” he said.
The HCA Chairman, who is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology Therapeutics and Toxicology, College of Medicine University of Lagos Idi-Araba, noted that the Halal industry has expanded beyond food and beverages into sectors such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, and tourism, forming a robust and evolving Halal ecosystem.
“This growth reflects both the increasing global Muslim population and a rising awareness of Halal principles among consumers of all backgrounds,” Prof. Oreagba said.
He stressed the need to integrate sustainability and technology into Halal operations to meet changing consumer demands and tackle emerging global challenges.
“One of the key objectives of this Community Engagement is to facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders,” he added. “By bringing together scholars, professionals, and community leaders, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of both the challenges and opportunities in the Halal industry.”
Prof. Oreagba concluded by emphasizing that collaborative efforts will drive innovative solutions that uphold Halal integrity and contribute to global sustainability goals.
Lagos community leader welcomes Malaysian experts, commends HCA’s Halal efforts
Speaking on behalf of the host community, Dr. Ismail AbdusSalam, the first Vice Chairman of the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, warmly welcomed the Malaysian experts and other participants to the Halal Community Engagement in Lagos.
Representing Engr. Abdul Hafeez Toriola, Chairman of the Mosque Community and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Dr. AbdusSalam praised the Halal Certification Authority (HCA) for its pioneering role in Nigeria’s halal certification space.
“HCA has taken giant strides in certifying organisations in food, beverages, and services, while providing halal-compliant solutions,” he said.
He also lauded HCA’s Board of Trustees for their support and urged continued collaboration with international experts to strengthen halal awareness and capacity building in Nigeria.
The event featured active engagements with representatives from companies and Muslim organisations who emphasized the importance of consuming halal products and extending halal standards across all sectors.
They highlighted that halal certification benefits everyone, regardless of religion or tribe, as already seen in the food, beverage, banking, and finance industries.
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