The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC is taking steps to address the issue of Nigerian food exports being rejected abroad. In a statement signed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency emphasized the importance of collaboration with pre-shipment inspection agents at Nigerian ports to ensure that export-bound foods meet international standards.
The statement highlighted a consultative meeting held on Friday, where Adeyeye’s representatives, Dr. Abimbola Adegboye and the Head of the Office of Trade and International Relations OTIR, engaged with pre-shipment agents. Adeyeye expressed concern about the increasing rate of rejection of Nigerian food products overseas and stressed the need for effective collaboration to address this issue.
Adeyeye stated that this collaboration would revitalize the non-oil sector’s export trade and enhance Nigeria’s position in the global market. She emphasized that NAFDAC, as the competent authority on food safety matters with global accreditation in food safety testing, should be involved in the screening of export products before their shipment.
The Director-General also highlighted NAFDAC’s mandate to regulate and control the quality of food products, including their importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, and consumption. Adeyeye acknowledged the activities of the Port Inspection Directorate and its engagements with other relevant agencies, such as the Nigeria Customs Services, Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme, and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service.
Adeyeye expressed gratitude to the pre-shipment inspection agents and other stakeholders, acknowledging their role in the export processing chain. She assured them of NAFDAC’s commitment to enhancing export trade, supporting the production of quality products, and collaborating with sister agencies, including the Nigeria Export Promotion Council and the Nigeria Custom Service.
Adeyeye shared that in the first nine months of 2022, agricultural commodities such as cocoa beans, sesame seeds, and cashew topped the list of Nigeria’s exports, generating significant revenue. She mentioned that the European Union has strict regulations regarding maximum residue limits for veterinary medicine and pesticides, as well as maximum limits for contaminants in foods, and any consignments not complying with these standards would be rejected.
In conclusion, Adeyeye emphasized the importance of tightening regulatory and inspection regimes for food exports and ensuring that all relevant government agencies and associations involved in Nigeria’s exports adhere to international standards for agro products’ safety and quality.
