The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has completed a three-day capacity-building programme designed to strengthen pesticide residue risk assessment among its personnel, as part of efforts to improve food safety regulation and restore confidence in Nigerian agricultural exports.

The training was organised in partnership with Mississippi State University in the United States and centred on the findings of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-sponsored research project titled “Risk Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Agricultural Produce Using Beans and Sesame Seeds in Nigeria as a Case Study.”

According to NAFDAC, the initiative is intended to enhance the country’s export competitiveness while supporting ongoing efforts to remove restrictions placed on Nigerian beans in international markets due to concerns over pesticide residue levels.

The programme aligns with Nigeria’s broader drive to reinforce its food safety framework, ensure compliance with international standards, and increase the export potential of locally produced agricultural commodities. Beans, in particular, have faced restrictions in some foreign markets because of pesticide residue concerns.

In a statement released on Thursday, the agency said participants received specialised training in pesticide residue surveillance, laboratory analysis, food safety risk assessment, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and evidence-based regulatory decision-making.

NAFDAC noted that the programme reflects its continued commitment to ensuring that food products consumed within Nigeria and those destined for export comply with internationally accepted safety standards while protecting consumers from the health risks associated with excessive pesticide residues.

Representing the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, at the programme’s opening ceremony, the Special Assistant to the DG (Lagos), Dr Gbenga Fajemirokun, highlighted the importance of the research project in strengthening regulatory oversight.

He explained that the findings had provided valuable insight into the pathways through which pesticide residues enter the food supply chain and would contribute to improving regulatory measures while supporting Nigeria’s agricultural exports.

“The research identified Critical Control Points where pesticide residues enter the food value chain, enabling regulators to better detect and prevent contamination.

“He noted that the initiative builds on previous NAFDAC studies and is expected to strengthen regulatory measures, improve the safety of agricultural produce, and enhance Nigeria’s export competitiveness, particularly in supporting efforts to lift restrictions on Nigerian beans in international markets”, the statement partly read.

The agency further stressed that the programme highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration among regulatory agencies, researchers, development partners, and stakeholders across the agricultural sector to encourage the safe use of pesticides and safeguard public health.

NAFDAC also disclosed that representatives of Mississippi State University and the USDA, in separate goodwill messages, commended the collaboration and encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired through the research to improve Nigeria’s food safety system.

“Goodwill messages from representatives of Mississippi State University and the USDA commended the partnership and encouraged participants to translate the research findings into practical regulatory actions that will improve pesticide management, strengthen food safety surveillance, and safeguard consumers across Nigeria”, the statement added.

Source: Punch Nigeria