The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), on Thursday, 13th August 2026, recorded another major milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural export drive with the signing of the Protocol on Quarantine Requirements for the Export of Wild Aquatic Products from the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the People’s Republic of China.
The landmark signing ceremony, held at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, brought together key government officials, representatives of the People’s Republic of China, the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership Office, stakeholders in the fisheries and aquatic products value chain, and development partners.
The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, represented by Mrs. Janet S. Awanen, mni, Director, Department of International and Comparative Law, while speaking said “it is pertinent to mention that the Protocol was duly negotiated by the relevant Nigerian experts, comprising experts from NAQS and international law experts from my esteemed Ministry, subsequently vetted and cleared by my Office in order to ensure that its provisions are in consonance with our legal frameworks and beneficial to our national interests, which will advance our economic growth and promote value added chain thereby creating employment and increase our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a nation”.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe described the Protocol as a historic breakthrough that reflects the commitment of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expanding Nigeria’s non-oil exports and strengthening international trade relations.
According to the Comptroller General, the agreement is the culmination of over four years of sustained technical engagements aimed at securing access for Nigerian wild aquatic products to the world’s largest aquatic products market.
“As the competent authority designated by the federal government for the inspection and certification of animal and aquatic products, NAQS is proud to be at the centre of this milestone. This Protocol provides the legal and technical framework that will guarantee the export of safe, high quality, and traceable Nigerian wild aquatic products to China,” he stated.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Yu Dunhai commended the successful conclusion of the negotiations, describing the signing as another significant milestone in the growing strategic partnership between both countries. He reaffirmed China’s confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory systems and expressed optimism that the Protocol would deepen agricultural cooperation, facilitate greater trade in aquatic products, and create mutual economic benefits for both nations. The Ambassador also welcomed exporters of Nigerian origin to exploit the zero tarrif program and the Green channel policy geared towards accelerating Customs clearance for Agricultural produce from Africa.
Also, speaking at the event, the representative of the Director General, Nigeria China Strategic Partnership Office, welcomed the signing as a practical demonstration of the strong diplomatic and economic relationship between Nigeria and China. She noted that expanding market access for Nigerian agricultural commodities remains central to the partnership and she expressed confidence that the Protocol would unlock new opportunities for investment, job creation, value addition, and increased foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria.
The signing of the Protocol is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s participation in the global seafood market by providing exporters with structured access to China’s vast consumer market while ensuring compliance with internationally accepted sanitary, hygiene and traceability standards.
The event marks another major step in NAQS’ efforts to facilitate safe agricultural trade, strengthen Nigeria’s biosecurity system, and position the country as a reliable supplier of quality agricultural products to the global market.
