The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) disclosed that more than 70 percent of food exported from Nigeria is being rejected abroad.
The revelation came during the official commissioning of the new NAFDAC office complex at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. NAFDAC’s director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, expressed concern over the substantial financial losses suffered by exporters and the country due to this recurring issue.
Adeyeye emphasized that the continuous rejection of Nigerian food exports by other nations could soon be eradicated with enhanced collaboration between NAFDAC and other government agencies operating at the ports.
She outlined NAFDAC’s commitment to working closely with these agencies to ensure that exported goods meet the required quality standards and comply with the regulatory criteria of the importing countries even before they are packaged.
“Our ports currently witness over 70 percent rejection of exported products. Considering the significant financial investment involved in exporting these products, this is a dual loss for both exporters and our nation,” Adeyeye stated, underscoring the urgency to address this challenge.
Adeyeye further stressed the vital role of NAFDAC in safeguarding public health and maintaining the quality of imports in a country like Nigeria, which heavily relies on imports. She asserted that achieving this mandate would be impossible without NAFDAC’s effective presence at ports and land borders.
During her address, the director-general praised the collaborative efforts between NAFDAC and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as well as the Nigerian Police Force. She acknowledged the indispensable support provided by these agencies in carrying out NAFDAC’s functions.
“Without the Customs Service, we would be severely hindered in achieving our objectives. Their cooperation has been instrumental in our operations,” Adeyeye acknowledged. She also highlighted the crucial role of the police in NAFDAC’s investigations and enforcement activities, revealing that NAFDAC has over 80 police personnel assisting them during raids and investigations.
The NAFDAC director-general’s remarks shed light on a pressing issue plaguing Nigeria’s food export industry. With a renewed commitment to collaboration and stringent quality control measures, NAFDAC aims to reverse the alarming rate of rejected food exports, ultimately boosting the country’s international trade and safeguarding its economic interests.
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