Nigeria launches interministerial committee to boost agricultural export compliance

The Federal Government of Nigeria inaugurated an Inter‑ministerial Committee on the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) to strengthen the country’s agricultural biosecurity system and curb the rejection of agricultural exports. The inauguration took place in the Ministerial Conference Room of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja and was attended by representatives from key ministries, regulatory agencies, research bodies and farmers’ associations.

Permanent Secretary Dr Deborah O. N. Odoh, acting on behalf of Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said the committee will coordinate policy, eliminate bottlenecks, harmonise regulations and align Nigeria’s quarantine standards with international best practices. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda underpins the effort, which aims to protect agricultural resources, increase non‑oil export earnings and improve farmers’ incomes.

The committee’s recommendations are expected to enhance Nigeria’s access to regional and global markets by ensuring compliance with international export standards.