Mathew Amaechi
In a significant move to address the nation’s food export woes, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has joined forces with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The partnership aims to iron out irregularities in the food export system, paving the way for a more efficient and effective process.
According to Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, this collaboration will also unlock the healthcare value chain, driving transformation and growth. The minister made this announcement while receiving Dr. Muhammad Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, on a courtesy visit to her office in Abuja.
Dr. Pate said that the issues were important to the two ministries, adding that the effort was to support President Bola Tinubu in his agenda towards transforming the country.
This meeting is bringing two sectors that are ordinarily not closely connected. But there are specific things that have prompted me to reach out, which has to do with the exportation of food and its regulation. The second element is the role of the regulatory body, NAFDAC, in constraining or enabling the trade that we have across various borders.
The third issue is the regulatory function links to our efforts to unlock the healthcare value chain. These are issues that have been lingering, and I thought we should use this opportunity to come together since we are all on the same team,” he said.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, was also present during the visit. This new partnership underscores the government’s commitment to tackling food export challenges and promoting economic growth.