FG targets export growth, biosecurity with new agricultural quarantine committee

The Federal Government has inaugurated an Interministerial Committee on the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural biosecurity system, boost non-oil exports, facilitate international trade, and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Inaugurating the Committee in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh representing the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building an efficient, internationally compliant agricultural quarantine system capable of protecting Nigeria’s agricultural resources while enhancing the country’s access to regional and global markets.

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

He stated that 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.

According to a statement by Julie Osagie-Jacobs, the Permanent Secretary urged Members of the Committee to approach the assignment with professionalism, patriotism, and a strong sense of national responsibility. She expressed confidence that the Committee’s recommendations will strengthen Nigeria’s biosecurity framework, improve agricultural trade, increase non-oil exports, enhance farmers’ incomes, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

The statement said also speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, 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.

Isegbe explained that 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.

The statement further noted that the Director of Economic Growth ,Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Auwal Mohammed, 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, 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.