FG sets up committee to tackle rejection of Nigerian farm exports

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) on Agricultural Produce Residue Standards to address the recurring rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports over non-compliance with international food safety requirements.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, said the initiative is aimed at strengthening food safety systems and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global agricultural markets.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Abdullahi described the move as another milestone in the government’s efforts to ensure that Nigerian agricultural products meet internationally accepted food safety and quality standards in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He noted that Nigeria has suffered several export rejections in recent years due to excessive pesticide residues, contaminants and other sanitary and phytosanitary concerns, resulting in economic losses, reduced market confidence and missed opportunities for farmers, exporters and agribusinesses.

According to the minister, growing concerns over food safety issues require a coordinated, science-based and multi-sectoral response, making the establishment of the Technical Working Group necessary.

He said the committee would bring together experts from government agencies, regulatory bodies, academia, research institutions, the private sector, commodity associations and development partners to tackle challenges relating to agricultural produce residue standards.

Abdullahi tasked members of the committee with developing practical and sustainable solutions that would strengthen Nigeria’s food control systems, promote safe pesticide-use practices and improve access to premium international markets for Nigerian agricultural products.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Marcus Ogunbiyi, said agriculture remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy, contributing significantly to food security, employment generation, foreign exchange earnings and rural development.

He warned that the increasing rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports poses a major threat to the country’s export ambitions and the livelihoods of farmers and agribusiness operators.

Responding on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Lateef Oladimeji, said the inauguration marked an important step towards strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural quality assurance systems and ensuring that local produce meets global residue standards.

The committee is expected to review existing policies and guidelines on residue management, harmonise national standards with international benchmarks, strengthen laboratory capacity and recommend measures to address identified regulatory and operational gaps.

The Technical Working Group has been given two months to submit its report to the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security.