In line with the vision of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) to strengthen the national phytosanitary system, a team of officers successfully completed a three-day capacity-building workshop on the “Implementation of Official Controls” held in Lagos from September 23rd to 25th, 2025
The workshop, facilitated by the Committee Linking Entrepreneurship Agriculture Development (COLEAD), was designed to identify gaps in the national phytosanitary system and reinforce official controls in order to boost the accessibility of Nigerian agricultural commodities in European Union markets.
Participants engaged in both classroom sessions and a practical field visit to the SAHCOL packhouse, where they assessed operational practices, identified deficiencies, and developed targeted recommendations. Technical sessions provided in-depth training on key International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) as well as EU plant-health legislation.
The workshop also created a platform for officers across different NAQS stations to exchange experiences and jointly propose solutions to minimize documentation errors and improve conformity with international requirements.
Speaking during the programme, lead facilitator Dr. Stanley Kimaru, drawing from his extensive expertise with KEPHIS and market-access support, guided discussions on the organization of official controls, risk-based sampling, and commodity-specific additional declarations.
The training represents another milestone in the Service’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s phytosanitary capacity in line with global best practices. Officers who participated in the workshop are expected to cascade the knowledge to their colleagues across stations and to commence immediate implementation of the agreed recommendations.
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