FG Overhauls Agricultural Quarantine System to Boost Global Market Access Amid Export Rejections
James Emejo and Deborah Adekoya in Abuja
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Baguda has inaugurated an interministerial committee to strengthen the country’s agricultural quarantine system.
The renewed drive aimed to curb the rejection of the country’s agricultural exports, improve biosecurity and accelerate non-oil export growth.
The move is expected to improve compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, enhance market access for Nigerian agricultural products and support the country’s economic diversification agenda.
Represented by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Deborah Odoh, the minister said Nigeria could no longer sustain the economic losses arising from the rejection of agricultural exports due to non-compliance with international standards.
The committee will therefore, coordinate reforms aimed at eliminating regulatory bottlenecks and aligning Nigeria’s agricultural quarantine system with global best practices.
Bagudu said the establishment of the committee underscored government’s determination to improve policy coordination, harmonise regulatory processes and build an efficient quarantine system capable of protecting the country’s agricultural resources while expanding access to regional and international markets.
He said the committee’s work is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s biosecurity framework, improve agricultural trade, raise non-oil export earnings, increase farmers’ incomes and support sustainable economic growth.
Bagudu added that the initiative represented another milestone in government’s efforts to build a resilient agricultural sector, strengthen food security and position Nigeria as a leading exporter of safe, high-quality agricultural products.
In his remarks, Comptroller-General/Chief Executive, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe, described the agency as the country’s first line of defence against the introduction and spread of plant, animal and aquatic pests and diseases.
He said NAQS carries out pest risk analysis, inspections, surveillance and certification to ensure agricultural commodities entering or leaving the country comply with internationally accepted standards.
Isegbe noted that strengthening the country’s agricultural quarantine system would significantly reduce the rejection of Nigerian exports, improve foreign exchange earnings and reinforce Nigeria’s reputation as a reliable supplier of safe agricultural products in global markets.
He, however, stressed that unlocking the nation’s vast agricultural potential would require stronger collaboration among institutions responsible for agriculture, trade, finance, customs, transportation, laboratory accreditation, research and border security.
Isegbe expressed appreciation to the federal government for its continued commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural quarantine system through strategic institutional support and inter-agency collaboration.
He highlighted NAQS’ critical mandate in protecting Nigeria from the introduction and spread of transboundary pests and diseases through pest risk analysis, surveillance, inspection, certification, and other quarantine procedures. He noted that strengthening the Service would significantly reduce the rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports, improve foreign exchange earnings, enhance Nigeria’s reputation as a reliable exporter of safe agricultural products, and create greater opportunities for farmers, exporters, and agribusinesses.
Also speaking, the Director of Economic Growth at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Auwal Mohammed, described the inauguration as a significant milestone in strengthening inter-agency collaboration to support agricultural development, food security, and economic diversification. He reiterated that an effective agricultural quarantine system remains essential for protecting Nigeria’s crops, livestock, fisheries, and natural resources while ensuring compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
The Committee comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Budget Office of the Federation, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian National Accreditation System, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), freight forwarding associations, and other critical stakeholders.
