By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Federal Government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group on Agricultural Produce Residue Standards to address the recurring rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports over non-compliance with international food safety requirements.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, on Monday the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the initiative aims to strengthen food safety systems and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.
He noted that repeated export rejections linked to excessive pesticide residues and other sanitary and phytosanitary concerns have resulted in economic losses, reduced market confidence and missed opportunities for farmers, exporters and agribusinesses.
According to him, the committee will bring together experts from government agencies, academia, research institutions, commodity associations and the private sector to develop practical solutions for improving compliance with international standards.
Abdullahi said the group would review existing policies, strengthen residue monitoring systems, promote safe pesticide-use practices and support access to premium export markets for Nigerian produce.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Marcus Ogunbiyi, described the increasing rejection of Nigerian exports as a major threat to the country’s export ambitions and the livelihoods of farmers and agribusiness operators.
Chairman of the committee, Lateef Oladimeji, said the group would work to align Nigeria’s residue standards with global best practices, strengthen laboratory capacity and improve enforcement mechanisms.
The committee is expected to submit its report to the ministry within two months.
