Mrs. Nkechi Veronica Ezeh is the pioneer Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST). She was born on July 21, 1960, and hails from Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State. 

She attended Marymount College, Agbor, Delta State, graduating in 1977. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and later earned a Master of Science degree in Food Technology/Quality Assurance from the University of Reading, United Kingdom. She joined the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) as a student member and was later conferred as a Fellow of NIFST in 2015.

Professional Career

Mrs. Ezeh began her career in the private sector at Pfizer Inc. (Livestock Feeds Limited) as a Production Superintendent immediately after her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). She later transitioned to the public sector in 2004, joining the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) as an Assistant Chief Scientific Officer.

In 2010, she transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as a
Chief Regulatory Officer and was subsequently promoted to Deputy Director in 2012. By 2015, she was appointed
Head of the newly established Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Directorate. In this role, she led the National Food
Safety Management Committee, tasked with addressing persistent food safety concerns in Nigeria, especially in the
absence of a comprehensive legal framework to regulate food business operators.

Expertise and Achievements

Mrs. Ezeh is a qualified Lead Auditor. She conducted over 50 food industry inspections both in Nigeria and internationally. She has extensive knowledge of Codex Alimentarius and has represented Nigeria at International Codex Committee meetings. With a strong expertise in HACCP and food safety, she has attended over 35
specialized training programmes in food, administration and management related courses across national and
international platforms.

Service to the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) and Contributions to Food Science
& Technology Profession

A dedicated member of NIFST, Mrs. Ezeh has held various leadership roles within the FCT Chapter, including
Secretary of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in 2007, Vice-Chairman of the FCT Chapter, Chairman of the FCT Chapter in 2018.

She was also a key member of the NIFST Task Force responsible for advocating the NIFST Council Charter, which
led to the successful passage of the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology Bill by both the House of
Representatives and the Senate in the 6th National Assembly. This effort culminated in the Bill’s signing into law in
2019, a landmark achievement for the Food Science and Technology profession in Nigeria.

Personal Life

Mrs. Ezeh is married and blessed with children and grandchildren.