FG Strengthens Efforts To Tackle Food Export Challenges

The Federal Government has taken steps to address challenges in food export regulations through a partnership between the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The collaboration also aims to unlock the healthcare value chain for transformative growth.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, highlighted this development during a meeting in Abuja with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Pate, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit.

Accompanying the health minister was Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The session focused on resolving irregularities in food exportation, advancing healthcare initiatives, and enhancing cross-border trade regulations.

Dr. Pate emphasized the importance of tackling long-standing regulatory issues affecting food exports and healthcare advancements. “This collaboration connects two sectors that typically operate separately but have crucial overlapping interests,” he stated. Key concerns included food export regulation, NAFDAC’s role in trade facilitation, and healthcare value chain development.

Dr. Oduwole assured that both ministries would prioritize efforts to unlock healthcare opportunities and address trade bottlenecks. “We are reviewing policies around local manufacturing of syringes and needles, which align with President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda,” she noted.

Prof. Adeyeye stressed the need for effective regulation to curb international rejections of Nigerian exports, calling for a mindset shift regarding compliance standards.

Technical Aide to the Trade Ministry, Mr. Temiloluwa Oluokun, pointed out the need to denominate permit fees in Naira to protect exporters from exchange rate fluctuations and streamline certificate processing timelines.

The Director of the Federal Produce Inspectorate Service, Mr. Dafang Sule, appealed for enhanced officer training to address pesticide residue issues in sesame seed exports.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish a task force dedicated to resolving the identified challenges and ensuring swift progress in key areas.