It is regrettable that to this day, Nigeria has been Unable to rectify the Issues that Impede the Export of our Agricultural Products, particularly Foodstuffs, to Global Markets.
In 2017, the then Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Audu Ogbeh, sounded the Alarm regarding Nigerian Yams being Barred from the United States Market due to Inadequate Standards.
He vowed to find a solution, but there has been Scant Evidence of Substantial progress since then.
Last week, Dr. Moji Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), expressed concern that up to 70 percent of Nigerian Food Exports to the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Nations are being rejected due to Substandard quality.
How much longer will Officials entrusted with Problem-Solving responsibilities continue to sound the Alarm without effective action?
Dr. Adeyeye has been Granted a Second Term in Office.
Why has NAFDAC struggled to resolve this Issue? And where is the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), which previously engaged in Clashes with NAFDAC over Anti-Counterfeit Measures during the Tenure of the late Professor Dora Akunyili as NAFDAC Director-General?
What about the other Federal Agencies tasked with ensuring that Nigerian Food Products meets International Export standards? And what of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS), an Agency with a Primary Mandate in this regard?
Nigeria does not lack Governmental Departments charged with addressing specific problems.
The core challenge lies in the Proliferation of Agencies with Overlapping roles, often hindered by Corruption and Territorial disputes.
Yet, they continue to receive funding from Annual Budgets while achieving little.
The time has come to bring this Confusion to an end.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu is Ideally Positioned to Confront this Issue at its Root.
With a Substantial term ahead, we urge the Administration to take decisive Measures to ensure that Nigerian Food Exports align with International Standards.
If it necessitates Consolidating these Agencies into a single Department to Facilitate effective and efficient Standardization of our Food Exports, then swift action should be taken.
The Nigerian Diaspora Community is growing Steadily, with a rising Demand for Nutritious Nigerian Foods that Surpass Industrial Alternatives.
Additionally, Nigerian Music, Movies, Fashion, and Cuisine are gaining popularity in Europe, America, Asia, and across the Continent.
This presents a rare opportunity to expand our Economy’s Foreign Exchange base, generate Employment, and uplift our Farmers and other Agripreneurs.
The Federal Government should Collaborate with State Counterparts to ensure the acceptance of Nigerian-grown Foods Abroad through Proper handling and Quality assurance.
It is regrettable that Despite over two Decades of duty-free access granted to Nigerian-grown Fkods by the US Government, this Opportunity remains largely untapped.
