Nigeria's agriculture ministry has set up a new Technical Working Group to tackle a mounting problem: export rejections due to chemical residues.
The group was inaugurated Monday in Abuja. Its mission is to ensure Nigerian farm products meet international safety standards.
Minister of State Aliyu Abdullahi called it a watershed moment for the country's farming sector. He spoke during the ceremony at the ministry's headquarters.
According to Abdullahi, President Tinubu wants Nigerian crops to meet global quality benchmarks, not just hit production targets. Compliance with international standards is non-negotiable, he stressed.
Over the years, rejection rates have climbed steadily. Farmers lose money when shipments get turned back at ports abroad.
"The concern over pesticide residues and contamination is real," Abdullahi told the group members. "We need science-based solutions across all sectors."
He explained what the working group will do. It brings together government officials, academics, researchers, private companies, and international partners under one roof.
The minister challenged members to come up with practical answers. Solutions must be evidence-backed and workable on Nigerian farms, he insisted.
Abdullahi noted the group's work will protect consumers and boost export earnings. It will also cut post-harvest losses tied to market rejections.
Permanent Secretary Marcus Ogunbiyi, represented by director Bukar Musa, underlined agriculture's importance to Nigeria's economy. The sector creates jobs and generates foreign exchange, he noted.
Musa warned that rejection rates are now a serious threat. They jeopardize farmers' incomes and Nigeria's export ambitions, he said.
International Maximum Residue Limits—or MRLs—have become a major stumbling block. Nigerian exporters struggle to meet these chemical safety thresholds consistently.
The rejections aren't just about money lost on individual shipments. They damage Nigeria's reputation in global markets, traders say.
Buyers in Europe and North America have become stricter about what they accept. One failed shipment can blacklist a supplier for months.
Abdullahi praised the group's members for their expertise and dedication. Their selection, he said, reflects years of proven competence in farming and food safety.
He wants their recommendations ready soon. The group must balance global best practices with Nigeria's local farming realities, he stressed.
Improving compliance means training farmers on safe pesticide use. It also means better monitoring throughout the supply chain before export.
The working group is expected to produce actionable guidelines within months. These will shape how Nigeria's agriculture sector operates going forward.
