Kaduna: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has rolled out a robust framework to boost trade, ensuring that products from Nigeria’s North-West meet strict international market requirements.
Oluwaseyi Sanwoolu, Post-Inspection Directorate of the Agency, stated this in Kaduna during a presentation at a sensitisation on Processing Export Applications for Stakeholders and NAFDAC officers in the North-West Zone.
She noted that if a product “is already registered with NAFDAC”, the inspection and approval process was faster.
Sanwoolu added that NAFDAC issued 6 export certificates and that they faced challenges with the Rasff data.
The Rasff challenge is a notification from the European Union on any defect identified; they send it back.
She explained that agency efforts focus on increased stakeholder sensitisation and streamlined export procedures to boost compliance and expedite approvals.
The agency is working with NEPC, Customs, and others to simplify export processes and lower rejection rates, Sanwoolu said.
Prof. Mojisola Christina-Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, emphasised the need for strict enforcement of regulations to reduce high rejection rates and ensure only compliant products are exported.
The D-G, represented by the Director, NCS, Ramatu Ahmadu, urged workers to treat files that come their way in a timely and professional manner, as it reflects well on them and the agency.
In his remarks, the Director, North-West Zone, Nantim Mullah-Dadi, said the zone was a region endowed beyond measure, describing it as one of the most agriculturally endowed regions on the African continent.
According to him, the North-West produces sesame seeds that are among the most sought after in global commodity markets.“We grow ginger of unmatched pungency, turmeric sought by pharmaceutical manufacturers, onions that supply markets from Abuja to Accra, groundnuts that once defined Nigeria’s export identity, and a diversity of grains, legumes, vegetables, and dairy products that speak to the depth of our agrarian heritage.
“The North-West supplies about 70% of Nigeria’s sesame seed exports.
“Our ginger belt in southern Kaduna and Kano is known nationally. Kebbi and Sokoto Fadama lands provide top-quality vegetables.
“Zamfara and Katsina have major livestock and dairy. Jigawa and Kano lead the grain trade,” he said.
He added that the raw materials for a world-class export economy were readily available in the north-west, where they grow in fields.
He noted that products are sold cheaply to middlemen at prices far below the global value.
“Most raw goods are sold abroad with little value added and come back as expensive, branded products,” he said.
