Abuja: The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has raised concerns over the increasing rejection of Nigeria’s sesame seeds and cowpea products in international markets due to non-compliance with global standards. During the inauguration of a Standing Working Group for the Implementation of the Standard and Trade Development Facility (STDF) 845 project in Abuja, Oduwole emphasized the need for stringent quality controls to address these challenges.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister highlighted that detailed data indicates a worrying trend of rejection, with significant monetary losses and numerous consignments affected. She stressed the importance of this evidence in demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to improving quality standards to trading partners. Nigeria holds a prominent position as the fourth largest producer of sesame globally, with Japan accounting for 40% of its sesame exports. However, issues like excessive pesticide residues and microbial contamination have led to strict border controls and numerous rejections.
Oduwole acknowledged the critical role of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in setting standards and educating stakeholders about Good Agricultural Practices. She urged NAFDAC to collaborate with the ministry and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to establish a robust National Traceability System (NTS) by engaging relevant partners. NAFDAC’s efforts in identifying and eliminating substandard production facilities were commended, but the minister stressed the need for this rigour to extend to all goods intended for international markets.
The minister also pointed out vulnerabilities in the value chain, particularly in pesticide application and monitoring. Field studies revealed a reliance on traditional methods, increasing the risk of exceeding Maximum Residue Levels. The ministry is committed to engaging with Japanese counterparts to resolve the existing export ban and facilitate renewed market access. Oduwole emphasized the opportunity to transform these challenges into achievements, validating baseline study findings and inaugurating a standing committee for effective implementation.
Dr. Nonye Ayeni, Director-General of NEPC, elaborated on the STDF 845 project for sesame and cowpea, a three-year co-funded initiative with the International Trade Centre (ITC). The project aims to enhance the quality of Nigeria’s exports by ensuring compliance with pesticide residue levels and preventing salmonella contamination. Ayeni highlighted the potential market growth for sesame, projected to reach 7.67 billion dollars in 2025, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.3% by 2030. In 2022, Nigeria exported sesame seeds worth 463.827 million dollars, underscoring its significant contribution to the non-oil export sector.
Nigeria ranks as the second-largest exporter of sesame seeds in Africa and third globally, exporting primarily to Europe, North America, the Far East, and the Middle East. The market value of cowpea, currently worth 7.60 billion dollars, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% by 2030. As the world’s largest producer of cowpeas, Nigeria recognizes the crop’s vital role in food security, nutrition, and revenue. Ayeni emphasized the importance of the STDF 845 project and the need for a baseline study to understand current practices, procedures, and regulations concerning sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards.
Mr. Simon Heisig, Programme Officer at ITC, assured maximum support for the effective implementation of the project, reinforcing the collaborative effort to enhance the quality and competitiveness of Nigeria’s sesame and cowpea exports.