Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its revenue sources and strengthen its agricultural value chain have increased the importance of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), which regulates agricultural imports and exports, protects the country’s ecosystem from foreign pests and diseases, and helps ensure that agricultural commodities meet international market requirements.
The agency inspects, treats, and certifies export commodities, including hibiscus, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, ginger, and cocoa.
These services help exporters meet the biosecurity standards of destination countries, improving access to international markets and supporting the growth of non-oil exports.
NAQS, in a document on its duties and efforts to attract revenue for the nation, stated that it also negotiates and operationalises bilateral trade agreements, including the Nigeria-China Wild Aquatic Products Export Protocol, to establish structured channels for agricultural trade and facilitate export growth.
At Nigeria’s airports, seaports and land borders, the agency monitors and inspects agricultural products entering the country to ensure compliance with applicable standards. Importers are required to obtain official permits and clearing certificates for plants, seeds, live animals and laboratory biological materials to reduce the risk of introducing foreign pests and diseases.
