The Federal Government has launched a team to stop foreign buyers from rejecting Nigerian farm produce.
On Monday, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security inaugurated a Technical Working Group on Agricultural Produce Residue Standards. The group's job is to fix the problem of Nigerian exports being turned away at international borders because they contain too much pesticide residue.
Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, said Nigeria has recorded several cases of export rejections over the years. The reason: non-compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and other sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. These are the rules that say how much pesticide can safely remain on food.
"These rejections have resulted in economic losses, reduced market confidence, and missed opportunities for farmers, exporters, and agribusinesses," Abdullahi said.
The minister spoke at the inauguration ceremony held at the ministry's conference room in Abuja. He said the team aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which demands that Nigerian agricultural products meet internationally accepted food safety and quality standards.
The Technical Working Group brings together experts from government institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, research bodies, the private sector, commodity associations, and development partners. Their mandate includes reviewing existing standards, harmonising national guidelines with international best practices, and developing practical solutions to strengthen food control systems.
Abdullahi charged the members to ensure their recommendations are evidence-based and reflect local realities while following global best practices. He said their work would safeguard public health, improve the quality of Nigerian produce, increase export earnings, and reduce post-harvest losses caused by market restrictions.
Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, warned that the increasing rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports "poses a serious challenge to our export aspirations and threatens the livelihoods of our farmers and agribusiness operators." He described the inauguration as the beginning of a journey toward a robust agricultural produce residue management framework.
Lateef Oladimeji, Chairman of the Technical Working Group, said the inauguration marked a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria's agricultural quality assurance system. He said the committee would ensure that produce meets acceptable residue standards in line with global best practices.
Nigeria's agricultural exports have faced growing scrutiny in recent years. Key commodities like sesame seeds, ginger, and dried beans have been rejected by the European Union and other markets due to pesticide residue violations. The rejections cost the country millions of dollars annually and damage its reputation as a reliable supplier.
The new working group is expected to produce a roadmap for tackling the issue within a specific timeframe. The government hasn't yet announced a deadline for the group's recommendations.