The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has attained a 100% rating, while also ranking first place out of 36 MDAs in the latest Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Regulatory Reforms Assessment.
According to Jumoke Oduwole, the special adviser to the president on Ease of Doing Business, the achievement is a testament to NAQS’s dedication to excellence and service delivery, as demonstrated by their commitment to automation, transparency, and efficiency.
Read also: Nigeria’s Agricultural imperative: The case for a 10-Year master plan
Prior to the recognition, NAQS had automated the phytosanitary certification process for the export of plant and plant products, making it easier for users to process their assessments in real-time.
NAQS also updated its service level agreement (SLA) and Code of Conduct to ensure transparency and eradicate touting and rent-seeking at the ports. These efforts have aligned with the mission of the Presidential Enabling
Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to create a business-friendly environment, making NAQS a benchmark for regulatory agencies in Nigeria.
In a statement shared by Seyamba Tanto, deputy superintendent of quarantine (DSQ), head/media communications and strategies unit , Vincent Isegbe, the director general of NAQS, expressed gratitude for the recognition and attributed the success to the exceptional leadership and support of the Honorable Minister, Senator Abubakar Kyari. He also acknowledged the collective effort of the NAQS PEBEC Team and the cooperation of all NAQS officers.
Read also: Lagos Conference Charts Course for Africa’s Agricultural Transformation
Tanto noted that NAQS remains committed to maintaining high standards of excellence, raising the bar in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, and facilitating seamless agricultural import and exports. This achievement is expected to enhance investor confidence and attract more international business opportunities to Nigeria, solidifying NAQS’s position as Nigeria’s lead regulatory agency and first line of defense in agriculture and food security.
