FG launches committee to tackle agricultural exports rejection

The Federal Government has inaugurated an Interministerial Committee on the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) as part of efforts to curb losses associated with the rejection of agricultural exports, strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural biosecurity system and boost non-oil exports.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, Deborah Odoh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu-led administration to building an efficient, internationally compliant agricultural quarantine system that is capable of protecting Nigeria’s agricultural resources while enhancing the country’s access to regional and global markets.

According to Odoh, Nigeria can no longer afford the losses associated with the rejection of agricultural exports due to non-compliance with international standards.

“The establishment of the Inter-ministerial Committee demonstrates the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen policy coordination, eliminate institutional bottlenecks, harmonise regulatory processes, and align Nigeria’s agricultural quarantine system with global best practices,” she said.

Odoh urged members of the Committee to approach the assignment with professionalism, patriotism, and a strong sense of national responsibility, stressing that the Committee’s recommendations will strengthen Nigeria’s biosecurity framework improve agricultural trade and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

She noted that the inauguration of the Inter-ministerial Committee marks an important milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to build a resilient agricultural sector, strengthen food security, and position Nigeria as a leading exporter of safe and high-quality agricultural products.

Also speaking at the meeting, Vincent Isegbe, Comptroller-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, highlighted the Service’s strategic role as Nigeria’s first line of defence against the introduction and spread of plant, animal, and aquatic pests and diseases.

He noted that NAQS conducts pest risk analysis, inspection, surveillance, certification, and other quarantine procedures to ensure that agricultural commodities entering or leaving the country meet internationally accepted standards.

According to Isegbe, “strengthening the nation’s agricultural quarantine system will reduce the rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports, improve foreign exchange earnings, enhance the country’s reputation as a reliable exporter of safe agricultural products, and create greater opportunities for farmers, exporters, and agribusinesses.”

He further observed that although Nigeria possesses enormous agricultural potential, unlocking it requires stronger collaboration among institutions responsible for agriculture, trade, finance, customs, transportation, standards, laboratory accreditation, research, and border security.

In his address, Auwal Mohammed, Director of Economic Growth ,Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, described the inauguration as a significant step towards strengthening inter-agency collaboration in support of agricultural development, food security, and economic diversification.

He stressed that effective agricultural quarantine is essential for protecting Nigeria’s crops, livestock, fisheries, and natural resources from transboundary pests and diseases, while ensuring compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards.

The terms of reference ( TOR) of the Committee are to review proposals aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of NAQS, assess infrastructure and laboratory requirements, recommend sustainable funding mechanisms, and develop practical strategies to enhance compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards while promoting Nigeria’s agricultural exports.

The Committee comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Nigeria Customs Service.

Others are: the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian National Accreditation System, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Freight Forwarding associations, and other relevant stakeholders.