Why NAFDAC Reports Rejections of Nigerian Food and Drug Exports in EU, UK, and Beyond

NAFDAC, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, has made it abundantly clear that it will no longer tolerate the substantial harm inflicted upon Nigeria's reputation by dishonest exporters who bypass established regulations, only to find their products rejected by the receiving country. From now on, 

NAFDAC mandates that no exporter may send out any product falling under its jurisdiction without first obtaining certification confirming its safety, quality, and complete adherence to the standards stipulated by the destination country's authorities.

In a declaration resonating with conviction, the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, expounded upon the imperative of this measure. She emphasized the urgency of averting the colossal economic hemorrhage resulting from the repudiation of non-compliant exports by trading partners, which concurrently besmirches the nation's image on the global stage.

Addressing the media in the capital city of Abuja, Prof. Adeyeye expounded upon the extensive efforts undertaken by her agency to reverse the prevailing narrative surrounding Nigeria's export rejections. She enumerated the multifaceted rationales underlying the repudiation of exported food and pharmaceuticals, particularly to discerning markets such as the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Central to the issue, she elucidated, is the glaring non-adherence to advisory guidelines meticulously established by NAFDAC to foster a culture of participatory exports. Astonishingly, a majority of exported food products undergo processing bereft of the mandatory scrutiny and testing by NAFDAC. This flagrant omission invariably leads to the categorical rejection of these items lacking the imprimatur of NAFDAC's quality control and safety assessments.

Moreover, Professor Adeyeye highlighted the insufficient utilization of NAFDAC's complimentary laboratory testing services for export samples, a situation worsened by unscrupulous middlemen conspiring in this neglect. She also emphasized the noticeable omission of NAFDAC's essential requirements for its regulated products in the obligatory pre-shipment inspection under the purview of the National Export Supervision Scheme.

Exporters' unwillingness to comply with basic sanitary and phytosanitary measures, which are imperative for gaining entry into nations with stringent market criteria, only worsens the situation. The issue is further compounded by substandard packaging, a blatant disregard for the importation prerequisites outlined by partner countries, and a preference for sourcing goods from open markets without any regard for safety or quality standards.

The hesitance to invest in pre-export activities that guarantee sustainable exports, coupled with misinformation about NAFDAC's crucial role in pre-shipment inspection and container verification, amplifies the existing challenges. In response, the Director-General has taken proactive steps to counter this detrimental trend. She earnestly urges exporters of NAFDAC-regulated products to embrace the opportunities presented by these regulations, thereby shielding the nation from additional embarrassment on the global stage..

Moreover, Professor Adeyeye announced that the agency is prepared to undertake a thorough evaluation of its existing tariff-based sanctions system, with a particular focus on persistent exporters. The aim is to amplify its efficiency and reinforce its discouraging influence. This steadfast approach underscores NAFDAC's unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance in Nigeria's export endeavors.