Nigeria’s ministries of Trade and Health are launching a joint initiative to reform food export regulations and develop the health sector, as part of President Tinubu’s economic transformation agenda.
The Nigerian federal government on Thursday unveiled a vast collaboration plan between the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and that of Health, aimed at resolving chronic dysfunctions in the export of foodstuffs and to boost the health sector.
This major announcement follows a meeting between the Minister of Commerce, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and her Health counterpart, Dr Muhammad Pate, in the presence of the Director General of the National Agency for Food Administration and Control and drugs (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.
This meeting brings together two sectors that are not generally closely linked, underlined Dr Pate, identifying three priority areas: the regulation of food exports, strengthening the role of NAFDAC in cross-border trade, and the development of the value chain health care.
Among the pressing issues is the question of the currency used for license fees. It is good to gradually transfer all fees to the local currency to protect our exporters from the exchange rate, explained Temiloluwa Oluokun, technical advisor at FMITI.
Authorities are also planning an overhaul of the 2024 export regulations, with broad industry consultation to balance oversight and efficiency, according to Oluokun. This revision aims in particular to optimize certificate processing times and to strengthen the participation of the private sector.
Prof. Adeyeye particularly insisted on the need to change mentalities regarding exports. Regulators must regulate effectively to avoid the rejection of Nigerian goods in international markets, she said.
Dr Oduwole also mentioned a specific project involving the manufacturing of syringes and needles in Nigeria, falling within the eight priority points set by President Bola Tinubu to transform the national economy.
A dedicated team will be formed to address all the questions raised and develop concrete solutions. This unprecedented collaboration between the two ministries marks a significant milestone in the modernization of Nigeria’s food export and health sectors.
Both ministers are committed to ensuring the long-term success of these reforms, which are part of President Tinubu’s broader economic transformation agenda.
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