Nigeria Targets Global Livestock Markets as FG, UK Begin Standards Programme

"Nigeria must strengthen its quality assurance and certification systems if its livestock products are to compete effectively in the global market." Akujobi.

.... Identifies sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, export certification, disease control, residue monitoring and laboratory testing as critical areas requiring urgent attention.

.... Says the country needed effective residue monitoring plans for products such as honey, eggs, fish and meat to assure international buyers that Nigerian exports were free from harmful substances, including pesticide residues and heavy metals.

The Federal Government has partnered with the British Standards Institution (BSI) under a new United Kingdom-funded programme to strengthen standards in Nigeria’s livestock sector and boost the export of livestock and animal products to international markets.

The Grow Job and Trade Standards Programme, which commenced on Thursday, builds on a three-year Standards Partnership Programme previously implemented with UK support.

Speaking during the engagement with the BSI team, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, said Nigeria must strengthen its quality assurance and certification systems if its livestock products are to compete effectively in the global market.

Akujobi identified sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, export certification, disease control, residue monitoring and laboratory testing as critical areas requiring urgent attention.

She said the country needed effective residue monitoring plans for products such as honey, eggs, fish and meat to assure international buyers that Nigerian exports were free from harmful substances, including pesticide residues and heavy metals.

The Permanent Secretary also called for the establishment of disease-free zones and compartments, noting that credible evidence of compliance with animal health requirements was essential for securing access to international markets.

She further urged stronger coordination among government agencies responsible for quality control, inspection, certification and trade, particularly at the nation’s ports.

According to her, better interoperability among the agencies would improve certificate verification, strengthen border controls and reduce the rejection of Nigerian exports caused by inadequate documentation.

Akujobi said the ministry was ready to work with BSI to identify priority areas and ensure that the programme addressed the livestock sector’s most pressing needs.

She stressed that efforts to increase livestock exports must cover the entire value chain, from production and processing to storage, transportation, certification and access to domestic and international markets.

Also, the Director of Quality Assurance, Dr Nurullah, said stronger quality control and certification systems were necessary to ensure that Nigerian livestock products met national and international standards.

On his part, BSI Project Manager and Team Lead, Riccardo Benvenuti, said the organisation was in Nigeria to formally commence the new programme and build on the gains of the previous partnership.

Benvenuti said the initiative would not impose predetermined solutions on the ministry, but would involve working with officials to identify challenges and develop practical and sustainable interventions.

The partnership is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s livestock standards, improve the safety and quality of animal products and position the sector to take greater advantage of regional and international trade opportunities.