FG Moves to End Costly Export Rejections, Launches Task Force on Food Safety Standards

In a decisive move to protect Nigeria’s agricultural exports and boost the country’s competitiveness in international markets, the Federal Government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) on Agricultural Produce Residue Standards to tackle the persistent rejection of Nigerian farm products over food safety concerns and excessive chemical residues.

The initiative is aimed at addressing recurring export setbacks caused by non-compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and other sanitary and phytosanitary standards imposed by international trading partners, a challenge that has cost farmers, exporters, and agribusiness operators significant revenue over the years.

According to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and signed by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Head, Department of Information, the inauguration ceremony was held in Abuja on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described the establishment of the Technical Working Group as a major step toward strengthening food safety systems and restoring confidence in Nigerian agricultural products globally.

“This is another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring food safety and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and international agricultural markets,” Abdullahi said.

The minister explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks not only to increase agricultural production but also to ensure that Nigerian products meet globally accepted quality and safety standards.

He lamented that repeated export rejections arising from pesticide residues and other contaminants had undermined Nigeria’s export potential, resulting in economic losses and reduced market access.

“Over the years, Nigeria has recorded several cases of export rejections of agricultural commodities due to non-compliance with Maximum Residue Limits and other sanitary and phytosanitary requirements,” he said.

“These rejections have resulted in economic losses, reduced market confidence, and missed opportunities for farmers, exporters, and agribusinesses.”

The minister stressed that increasing concerns about food safety and chemical contamination require a coordinated, science-driven response involving stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.

According to him, the newly inaugurated Technical Working Group will serve as a strategic platform bringing together experts from government agencies, regulatory bodies, research institutions, academia, commodity associations, development partners, and the private sector to develop sustainable solutions to the problem.

Abdullahi tasked members of the committee to formulate practical and evidence-based recommendations capable of strengthening Nigeria’s food control systems, improving compliance with pesticide regulations, and expanding access to premium export markets.

“Your recommendations must be practical, implementable and sustainable. They should align with global best practices while taking into consideration our local realities,” he charged.

He expressed confidence that the committee’s work would improve food quality and safety, boost export earnings, safeguard public health, and reduce losses arising from trade restrictions.

In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, represented by the Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture, Mr. Bukar Musa, warned that continued rejection of Nigerian exports poses a serious threat to the nation’s agricultural ambitions.

“Agriculture remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy, contributing significantly to food security, employment generation, foreign exchange earnings, and rural development,” he said.

“The increasing rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports due to non-compliance with international residue standards poses a serious challenge to our export aspirations and threatens the livelihoods of our farmers and agribusiness operators.”

He described the inauguration as the beginning of a crucial process to establish a robust residue management framework capable of improving quality assurance and strengthening Nigeria’s standing in global agricultural trade.

Responding on behalf of the Technical Working Group, its Chairman, Professor Lateef Oladimeji San, pledged the committee’s commitment to delivering on its mandate.

“This inauguration marks a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural quality assurance system and ensuring our produce meets acceptable residue standards in line with global best practices,” he said.

Professor San disclosed that the committee would review existing policies and standards, harmonize national regulations with international requirements, and strengthen laboratory capacity for monitoring, testing, and enforcement.

The Technical Working Group has been given two months to submit its report to the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security.

Among its key responsibilities are conducting a nationwide assessment of pesticide residue levels in priority crops, identifying regulatory and institutional gaps, engaging relevant agencies and stakeholders, and recommending interventions to improve residue and contaminant management across the agricultural sector.

Observers say the initiative could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to secure greater access to lucrative international markets while improving food safety standards for both domestic and export consumption.