The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed that over 70 percent of food exports from Nigeria are rejected abroad, causing significant financial losses to exporters and the country as a whole. In an effort to tackle this issue, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between NAFDAC and other government agencies at the ports.
During the official commissioning of the new NAFDAC office complex at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Adeyeye emphasized that the incidence of food export rejection by other countries could soon be eliminated through enhanced cooperation. She stressed that NAFDAC, in partnership with port agencies, will ensure that exported goods meet the required quality standards and regulatory requirements of importing nations even before they are packaged.
Adeyeye stated, “Over 70 percent of the products that leave our ports get rejected. Considering the money spent on getting those products out of the country, it is a double loss for both the exporter and the country.” She further emphasized that NAFDAC’s presence and effective operations at the ports and land borders are essential to fulfill its mandate of safeguarding public health and maintaining the quality of imports, particularly in a country like Nigeria that heavily relies on imports.
The director-general applauded the symbiotic relationship between NAFDAC and the police, as well as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). She acknowledged that without the support of the customs service, NAFDAC would face significant challenges in fulfilling its responsibilities. Adeyeye also highlighted the crucial role of the police in NAFDAC’s investigative and enforcement activities, mentioning the presence of over 80 policemen within the agency who greatly assist in conducting raids and investigations.
Addressing the high rate of food export rejection is of paramount importance to Nigeria, both economically and reputationally. By prioritizing collaboration and quality assurance, NAFDAC aims to reverse this trend and ensure that Nigerian food products meet international standards, ultimately benefiting exporters and the nation’s economy.
