The Federal Government has inaugurated an Interministerial Committee to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural biosecurity system, improve non-oil exports and enhance the country’s access to regional and international markets.
The committee, inaugurated in Abuja on behalf of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, is expected to develop a coordinated framework for improving the operations of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Deborah Odoh, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building an efficient and internationally compliant agricultural quarantine system capable of protecting the nation’s agricultural resources while expanding export opportunities.
She noted that Nigeria must address the recurring rejection of its agricultural exports caused by non-compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards, stressing that stronger coordination among relevant institutions would help eliminate regulatory bottlenecks and improve the country’s competitiveness in global markets.
Odoh said the committee’s work would contribute to strengthening food security, boosting farmers’ incomes, increasing non-oil export earnings and supporting sustainable economic growth.
The committee comprises representatives from key ministries, departments and agencies, regulatory bodies, research institutions, farmers’ associations and other stakeholders tasked with harmonising policies and improving the nation’s agricultural quarantine system.
Also speaking, the Comptroller-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, described the agency as Nigeria’s first line of defence against the introduction and spread of plant, animal and aquatic pests and diseases.
He said the agency carries out pest risk analysis, inspections, surveillance, certification and other quarantine procedures to ensure that agricultural products meet international standards before entering or leaving the country.
According to the Federal Government, the committee will also review proposals to strengthen the operational capacity of NAQS, assess infrastructure and laboratory needs, recommend sustainable funding mechanisms and develop strategies to improve compliance with global sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
The government expressed confidence that the committee’s recommendations would reinforce Nigeria’s biosecurity framework, reduce the rejection of agricultural exports and position the country as a reliable exporter of safe, high-quality agricultural products.
