FG inaugurates technical working group to tackle agricultural export rejections
The federal government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) on Agricultural Produce Residue Standards to tackle the recurring rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports caused by non-compliance with international residue limits and food safety requirements.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening food safety and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global agricultural markets.
Abdullahi said the establishment of the TWG aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to ensure that agricultural products meet not only production targets but also internationally accepted quality and safety standards.
According to the minister, Nigeria has experienced several export rejections over the years due to non-compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and other sanitary and phytosanitary standards, resulting in economic losses, reduced market confidence, and missed opportunities for farmers, exporters and agribusinesses.
He noted that concerns over pesticide residues, contaminants and food safety issues require a coordinated, science-based and multi-sectoral response, making the establishment of the technical group necessary.
“The growing concerns over pesticide residues, contaminants, and food safety issues demand a coordinated, science-based, and multi-sectoral response,” Abdullahi said.
The minister explained that the TWG would bring together experts from government institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, research institutes, the private sector, commodity associations and development partners to address challenges related to agricultural produce residue standards.
He urged members of the group to develop practical and sustainable solutions that would strengthen national food control systems, improve farmers’ compliance with safe pesticide-use practices and support access to premium export markets.
