In a recent statement, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), highlighted a significant issue plaguing Nigeria’s food export industry. She revealed that an alarming 70% of food exports from Nigeria are being rejected abroad, sparking concerns. During the official commissioning of the new NAFDAC office complex at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport/NAHCO in Lagos, Prof Adeyeye emphasized the need for collaboration between NAFDAC and other government agencies to rectify this issue.
According to Prof Adeyeye, the rejection of Nigerian food exports in European countries and the United States has become a recurring problem. To address this, she emphasized the necessity of strengthening collaboration between NAFDAC and other government agencies operating at the ports. A visit to the NAFDAC Export warehouses within the international airport reveals the primary reason behind the continuous rejection of Nigerian exports abroad.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Prof Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC is actively responding to the challenge by ensuring that goods meet the regulatory requirements of importing countries and destinations. By collaborating closely with agencies at the ports, NAFDAC aims to mitigate the incidence of rejected exports and make it a thing of the past.
Prof Adeyeye commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vital role in addressing this issue. She acknowledged that the collaboration between Customs and NAFDAC is extensive and essential. Given NAFDAC’s multifaceted nature as a scientific, law enforcement, and investigatory body, it collaborates with agencies such as the Department of State Services, Interpol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to combat unscrupulous stakeholders in the industry.
NAFDAC also collaborates with the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services to ensure due diligence in the export process. With over 70% of products leaving Nigerian ports being rejected, the financial losses incurred by exporters and the country are substantial. Prof Adeyeye stressed the importance of these collaborations in enforcing regulatory standards and enhancing the integrity of Nigerian food exports.
The rejection of Nigerian food exports abroad is a pressing concern, but Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, is determined to tackle this issue head-on. By strengthening collaborations with various government agencies and implementing stricter regulatory measures, NAFDAC aims to ensure that food exports from Nigeria meet international standards, eliminating the double loss experienced by exporters and the nation. Through these collective efforts, the future holds promising prospects for Nigeria’s food export industry.