The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Nigeria's NPPO, is facing challenges in strengthening the national phytosanitary system due to budgetary and other resource constraints. These have resulted to the inability or persistent challenges in accessing markets for agricultural produce due to deficiencies in systems for managing phytosanitary concerns that hamper phytosanitary services delivery. Nigeria is very strategic in the African continent especially the West African sub-region in international trade. A not well articulated national phytosanitary system in Nigeria would inadvertently rob off on the phytosanitary system of other neighbouring countries.
The PPG seeks to improve the capability of the NAQS to use the PCE tool to evaluate the national phytosanitary capabilities, which would enable them to plan their national phytosanitary programmes. In addition, support will be provided to the Nigeria's NPPO to formulate a project proposal that would help the country to address agricultural commodities import and export certification capacity building needs and bring about a robust plant health system that would reduce pest risks and contribute to better livelihoods, enhance trade and biodiversity preservation in Nigeria.