The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has forged partnerships with foreign agencies and local stakeholders to enhance export standards.
At a national workshop held in Lagos, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, outlined the agency’s strategy to tackle this challenge.
Adeyeye stated the importance of regulatory supervision in ensuring the safety and quality of exported products, highlighting key partnerships with organizations such as the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services.
Adeyeye stressed the need for automation in the export licensing process to streamline procedures and ensure compliance with international standards. She revealed that NAFDAC licenses would be a prerequisite for obtaining Form e-NXP for regulated products, signaling a concerted effort to strengthen regulatory oversight.
Acknowledging the significance of promoting export trade, Adeyeye underscored the collaboration with international bodies such as the EU and British governments to address concerns regarding Nigerian exports. She cited ongoing initiatives, including national monitoring of pesticide residues, aimed at enhancing the quality and safety of export commodities.
Akintunde Folorunsho, Director of the Southwest Regional office of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, emphasized the need for adherence to global best practices in international trade. He urged Nigerian exporters to comply with established standards to mitigate the risk of rejection in foreign markets.
Abimbola Adeboye, Director of Port Inspection at NAFDAC, reiterated the importance of revamping the export process to restore confidence in Nigerian products. Adeboye highlighted the workshop’s significance in addressing the high level of rejections faced by Nigerian exports, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to overcome this challenge.