When in 1975 a handful of patriotic and highly focused Nigerians hatched the idea of setting up a body of professionals in the field of Food of Science and Technology, little did they realize that they were sowing a seed that will blossom to such magnitude and strength as we have today.
After series of meetings and brainstorming by the group, the Nigeria Institute of Food Science and Technology was finally inaugurated in June 1976 at a meeting held at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi. From a modest number of 45 members at its inauguration, the Institute has grown to about 9,000 members and over 30 corporate members in 25 years, spread in nine regional chapters across the length and breadth of the country.
It is indispensable that over the years, the Institute has made remarkable achievements and tremendous impact on the nation’s food production as well as on the development of the food industry in Nigeria. Through regular and well planned conferences, symposia, workshops and seminars, the institute has sought to create awareness and sustain interest in food production and processing, hygienic, safe and adequate food being the engine of national growth and development. Its flagship publication, the Nigerian Food Journal, NIFOJ, which is highly respected in academic circles, has been used consistently to disseminate research findings. Also the Institute has been involved in the planning and development of curricular for the training of Food technologists in tertiary institutions in the country and is always represented in the accreditation exercises of the National Universities Commission, NUC and National Board for Technical Education, NBTE respectively. NIFST is also an affiliate of the International Union of Food Science and Technology, IUFoST, and a member of the National Codex Commission for the maintenance of food and nutritional standards worldwide.
All these impressive achievements notwithstanding, the Institute is still poised to taking up the challenge of becoming chartered so as to position itself towards effectively regulating its practice and also influencing government policies on food security, which is sine qua non for national survival.
Ekong U. Okon , National President 2000-2002