The Federal Government has inaugurated an Interministerial Committee to strengthen agricultural biosecurity system in the country, enhance operational capacity of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) , facilitate international trade, and boost non-oil exports.

 

The Minister of Budget and National Planning Senator Atiku Bagudu noted that the aim of the committee was to improve the competitiveness of Nigerian agricultural exports, facilitate international trade, safeguard food security, and position the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service to deliver more effectively on its mandate of protecting the nation’s agricultural economy.

 

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Deborah Odoh stated that the inauguration was part of Government’s determination to address critical national priorities at the intersection of agricultural biosecurity, trade facilitation, and economic diversification.

 

The Minister explained that the Interministerial Committee was established to eliminate institutional bottlenecks, strengthen policy coordination, harmonise regulatory processes, and align Nigeria’s agricultural quarantine system with international best practices.

 

He stressed that building a globally competitive agricultural export economy requires coordinated action across government institutions, noting that quarantine integrity cannot rest on one agency alone but depends on effective collaboration among agencies responsible for agriculture, trade, customs, aviation, maritime operations, standards, and border management.

 

According to the Minister, Nigeria can no longer afford the enormous economic losses resulting from the rejection of agricultural exports due to non-compliance with international SPS measures, saying rejection cost the country billions in lost revenue, weaken the “Made-in-Nigeria” brand, and limit opportunities for farmers, exporters, and agribusinesses.

 

 

He tasked the Committee to review proposals aimed to strengthen the operational capacity of NAQS, evaluate infrastructure requirements—including headquarters facilities, park houses, and advanced laboratory equipment, assess the alignment of the proposed programme with Nigeria’s economic diversification, food security, and trade facilitation objectives, ..

 

The committee was also tasked to recommend the sustainable funding mechanisms and practical implementation strategies for the agency.

 

 

In his remarks, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Dr. Vincent 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 said 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.

 

 

The Committee comprises of 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,

 

Others are the 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.