By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with key industry stakeholders to enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s livestock sector and position the country for increased exports of cattle and cattle products.
The commitment was made when the leadership of the National Association of Cattle Breeders, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACBPMAN) paid a courtesy visit to the NAQS headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation was led by the National President of the Association, Alhaji Iliyasu Bulama, alongside other members of the association’s leadership. They were received by the Comptroller General of NAQS, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, and the Service’s management team.
The meeting provided a strategic platform for both organisations to discuss practical measures aimed at modernising Nigeria’s livestock industry through stronger collaboration, improved animal health management and expanded market access.
Discussions focused on strengthening disease surveillance and reporting systems, improving livestock traceability, promoting value addition across the cattle value chain and facilitating the export of cattle and cattle products in line with international Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards and the statutory mandate of NAQS.
Speaking during the meeting, the Comptroller General, Dr. Isegbe, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders to build a resilient, traceable and export-driven livestock sector capable of meeting international market requirements.
He stressed that effective collaboration between regulators and private sector operators is essential to safeguarding animal health, enhancing food safety and unlocking new export opportunities for Nigerian livestock products.
In his remarks, the National President of NACBPMAN, Alhaji Bulama, commended NAQS for its leadership in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural biosecurity and expressed the association’s readiness to partner with the Service in promoting best practices across the livestock value chain.
According to him, the collaboration will improve the quality, safety and global competitiveness of Nigerian cattle and cattle products, while supporting the country’s drive to expand agricultural exports and strengthen food security.
