As part of a broader initiative to safeguard Nigeria’s agriculture economy, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) are set to form a partnership aimed at curbing the spread of transboundary pests and diseases through postal channels.
During a courtesy visit to NIPOST’s headquarters in Abuja, the Comptroller General of NAQS, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration in mitigating the risk of agricultural pest and disease incursions via inbound mail. He proposed the deployment of NAQS personnel to key postal and mail-handling facilities nationwide to strengthen inspection and monitoring of agricultural commodities entering or exiting the country.
The Postmaster General of NIPOST, Ms. Tola Odeyemi, welcomed the collaboration and expressed enthusiasm about NAQS joining the Multi-Agency Cooperation at the International Mail Processing Centre (IMPC)—a critical hub within NIPOST’s operations. She affirmed that the partnership would not disrupt mail transit and delivery timelines and announced plans to establish a joint technical committee to oversee the initiative’s implementation.
This landmark alliance signals a significant advance in protecting Nigeria’s agricultural integrity by leveraging the courier and logistics sector as a frontline defense in plant and animal health surveillance.
