Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), revealed that more than 70 percent of food exports from Nigeria are rejected by foreign countries.
She made this statement during the official commissioning of the new NAFDAC office complex for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport/NAHCO in Lagos.
Adeyeye expressed her concern about the continuous rejection of Nigerian food exports in some European countries and the United States.
She emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between NAFDAC and other government agencies at the ports to address this issue. A visit to NAFDAC’s export warehouses within the international airport reveals the main reasons behind the rejections.
To tackle the challenge, Adeyeye highlighted NAFDAC’s efforts in working closely with port agencies to ensure that exported goods meet the regulatory requirements of the importing countries and destinations.
She acknowledged the importance of collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, stating that without their support, NAFDAC would face significant limitations in its operations.
Adeyeye emphasized that NAFDAC’s presence at the ports and land borders plays a crucial role in fulfilling the agency’s mandate of safeguarding public health.
She also acknowledged the collaborative efforts with other organizations such as the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services and the police, which help ensure due diligence, investigation, and enforcement.
She emphasized the need for comprehensive collaboration among various agencies to address the rejection of Nigerian food exports, as it not only affects exporters but also has economic implications for the country
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