The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has joined forces with Pre-shipment Inspection Agents to tackle the issue of Nigerian Products being rejected.
Recognizing the Importance of revitalizing the Non-Oil Sector’s Export Trade and improving Nigeria’s standing in the Global Market, NAFDAC has partnered with Stakeholders in the Ports.
In a statement, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, represented by Dr. Abimbola Adegboye, the Director of the Port Inspection Directorate (PID), emphasized the need for Collaboration with pre-shipment Inspection Agents.
Adeyeye expressed concern over the high Rate of Food Export rejections from Nigeria.
The purpose of the meeting was to foster Collaboration, align regulatory Policies, establish a unified Exportation procedure, and ultimately eliminate the rejection of Nigerian Export Products.
Adeyeye expressed disappointment that NAFDAC, a Competent Authority in Food Safety with Global accreditations in Food safety testing, was not adequately Considered in the requirements for Issuing the Clean Certificate of Inspection (CCI) by Pre-shipment Inspection Agents.
She noted that the lack of testing and Validation of Production processes by NAFDAC contributed to the High-Volume of rejections from Nigeria.
Adeyeye affirmed NAFDAC’s Commitment to enhancing Export and Trade while urging Pre-shipment Inspection Agents to actively participate and collaborate Effectively.
Trade plays a critical role in Nigeria’s Economy, with the Country Exporting $57.7 billion worth of Goods in 2021, making it the 52nd-largest Exporting Country in the world.
Adeyeye highlighted that Agricultural Commodities such as cocoa beans, sesame seeds, cashew, and others were among the top Exports in the first nine months of 2022, generating N427.6 billion or $1.02 billion.
The Director General reiterated that a significant portion of Nigeria’s Agricultural Exports faced rejection by the European Union due to non-compliance with required Standards.
Approximately 82 percent of Nigeria’s Agricultural Products were Illegally seized by EU Countries.
This collaboration between NAFDAC and Pre-shipment Inspection Agents aims to address these challenges and ensure the Export of quality Products from Nigeria.
