The Federal Government has inaugurated an interministerial committee to overhaul Nigeria’s agricultural quarantine system and improve access to international markets.
The initiative is intended to reduce the rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports, strengthen biosecurity and increase non oil revenue by ensuring compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Bagudu said Nigeria could no longer afford the losses caused by products being rejected for failing to meet global requirements. Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Deborah Odoh, he said the committee would remove regulatory bottlenecks, harmonise procedures and improve coordination among institutions involved in agricultural trade.
Bagudu said an efficient quarantine system would protect crops, livestock and aquatic resources while improving farmers’ incomes, export earnings and economic diversification. He described the reform as part of the government’s effort to strengthen food security and position Nigeria as a reliable supplier of safe agricultural products.
The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, Vincent Isegbe, described the agency as the country’s first line of defence against plant, animal and aquatic pests and diseases. He said its responsibilities include pest risk analysis, surveillance, inspection and certification of goods entering or leaving Nigeria.
Isegbe said stronger quarantine procedures would reduce export rejections and improve Nigeria’s standing in global markets. He also stressed that success would require cooperation among agencies responsible for agriculture, trade, finance, customs, transportation, research, laboratory accreditation and border security.
The Director of Economic Growth at the ministry, Auwal Mohammed, said the committee would strengthen collaboration in support of food security, agricultural development and diversification.
Members include representatives of the ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, Agriculture and Food Security, Finance, and Industry, Trade and Investment. The Budget Office, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian National Accreditation System, farmer associations, research institutions and freight forwarding groups are also represented.
