The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has reaffirmed its commitment to safe, compliant and sustainable fruit importation, warning that Nigeria must not become a dumping ground for substandard agricultural produce.
The assurance was given at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting with fruit importers held in Lagos on Wednesday, where the Comptroller General of NAQS, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, engaged operators, sister agencies and industry leaders on strengthening collaboration and regulatory compliance in the sector.
Speaking at the forum, Dr. Isegbe stressed that the country must avoid actions that amount to self-sabotage or the creation of unnecessary barriers to legitimate trade. He noted that NAQS, as Nigeria’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), has the statutory responsibility to protect the nation’s agricultural economy while facilitating compliant and safe imports. According to him, only fruits that meet sanitary and phytosanitary standards should be allowed into the country in order to safeguard public health and local production.
He said the engagement with importers was part of efforts to promote transparency, build trust, and ensure that trade processes align with global best practices without compromising Nigeria’s biosecurity.
Also speaking, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), CGC Adewale Adeniyi who was represented by the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, CC G.A. Otunla, highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation in trade facilitation and border security.
CGC Adeniyi reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service’s support for NAQS in enforcing import standards that protect national interest while ensuring smooth cargo clearance.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Operations, Mr. Omanayin Femi reaffirmed the Council’s backing for NAQS operations. He said NAQS plays a critical role in maintaining sanitary and phytosanitary compliance and enhancing Nigeria’s credibility in international trade.
The meeting also had in attendance the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho who was represented by Mr. Onari-Brown Sovic, alongside other key stakeholders in the import value chain.
At the end of the engagement, a communiqué was signed between NAQS and the Association of Fruit Importers in Nigeria, signaling a shared commitment to compliance, collaboration and the promotion of safe fruit importation practices across the country.
The pact, stakeholders noted, is expected to strengthen cooperation, reduce trade disputes, and ensure that only quality and safe fruits enter the Nigerian market.
