RismadarVoice Reporters
July 23, 2026
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has concluded a three-day capacity-building programme on pesticide residue risk assessment as part of efforts to strengthen food safety regulations and facilitate the removal of international restrictions on Nigerian beans.
The training, organised in collaboration with Mississippi State University, United States, focused 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 programme is designed to enhance Nigeria’s export competitiveness by improving compliance with international food safety standards, particularly for agricultural commodities that have faced export restrictions due to concerns over pesticide residues.
The agency said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s food safety system, protect public health and improve the quality of agricultural produce consumed locally and exported abroad.
In a statement issued on Thursday, NAFDAC said participants were trained in pesticide residue surveillance, laboratory analysis, food safety risk assessment, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems, and evidence-based regulatory decision-making.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Special Assistant to the Director-General (Lagos), Dr Gbenga Fajemirokun, said the research had provided valuable insights into how pesticide residues enter the food supply chain.
He explained that the study identified critical control points where contamination occurs, enabling regulators to improve monitoring and prevent unsafe agricultural products from reaching consumers.
Fajemirokun noted that the project builds on previous NAFDAC research and is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve the safety of agricultural produce and support Nigeria’s efforts to regain access to international markets for its bean exports.
The agency also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among regulatory agencies, researchers, development partners and agricultural stakeholders to promote the safe use of pesticides and protect public health.
Representatives of Mississippi State University and the USDA, in separate goodwill messages, commended the partnership and encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training to strengthen food safety regulation and pesticide management in Nigeria.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Nigerian agricultural products meet global safety standards while enhancing consumer protection and expanding opportunities for agricultural exports.
