In a decisive move to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in the global halal market, promote inclusivity, and secure international recognition, the Halal Certification Authority (HCA) has officially rebranded as the Halal and Haram Distinction Development Initiative (HDI).

The organisation also unveiled a new corporate identity and logo, marking a strategic shift after nearly a decade of operations in the country.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held at the Hajj Mabrur Building in Lagos, the Chairman of HDI, Professor Ibrahim Oreagba, stated that the transition goes beyond a mere change of nomenclature.

According to him, the new identity embodies the organisation’s deepened commitment to ethical standards, global compliance, transparency and consumer confidence.

“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 told journalists

He noted the HCA was established in 2016 as a faith-based certification body and has grown to become Nigeria’s leading halal compliance arbiter.

“To date, it has certified over 100 companies and more than 300 products across vital sectors, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, tourism and packaging. High-profile corporate brands, including Flour Mills of Nigeria, BUA Foods, Rite Foods, and Domino’s Pizza, have received certification under its purview.

Oreagba noted that the rebranding aligns seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s National Halal Economy Strategy, which was unveiled earlier this year to expand Nigeria’s economic ecosystem. “With the global halal market currently valued at over $7.7 trillion, the Chairman emphasized that Nigeria stands to reap enormous economic benefits by boosting exports and attracting foreign direct investments through internationally recognized certification frameworks.

“Halal certification must be understood beyond religious boundaries. It represents ethical, safe and high-quality products that benefit all consumers regardless of faith,” Oreagba asserted.

He further disclosed that HDI is actively pursuing international recognition from Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) and Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) to enhance the global competitiveness of Nigerian goods.

As part of efforts to drive advocacy, the initiative announced that the Fifth International Halal Seminar will hold on August 19 at the NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja. Convened under the theme ‘Halal Development Beyond Borders,’ the event will feature masterclasses, capacity-building sessions, business matchmaking opportunities and a product exhibition.

Reflecting on the operational growth that necessitated the identity shift, the Secretary-General of HDI, Dr. Shakirudeen Ajani, explained that an expanded client base and changing market realities demanded a broader mandate. “We want a brand that fits our environment, aligns with global standards and meets the expectations of our local consumers,” Ajani noted.

On regulatory compliance, the Director of Compliance and Regulations, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Ajala, revealed that HDI has integrated 28 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including Ameer Farms and several indigenous food manufacturers, into its certification framework.

He added that talks are underway with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to upscale local production for export.

“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,” Ajala stated, adding that HDI is collaborating with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and adopting international metrics set by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Validating the technical process, HDI’s Chief Analyst, Mrs. Kabirat Ajani, emphasized that approvals rely on a dual matrix of Islamic jurisprudence and empirical science. “Every certified product passes through laboratory analysis to establish its safety and wholesomeness before certification is issued,” she said, clarifying that post-market monitoring and storage compliance fall within the purview of statutory bodies like the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Addressing lingering apprehensions that the expansion of the halal framework represents an Islamisation agenda, the Lead Imam of the organisation, Sheikh Sherif Ibrahim, dismissed the claims as unfounded anxieties born out of a lack of public awareness.

“There is nothing like Islamising Nigeria through halal. Halal has gone beyond religion. It is now about economics, quality assurance and regulatory compliance,” Sheikh Ibrahim maintained.

He argued that the world’s leading exporters of halal products to Muslim-majority nations are non-Muslim countries, 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,” the cleric concluded, urging sustained public education on the fiscal benefits of the industry to the Nigerian nation.