By Waziri Isa Adam
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) are set to collaborate on quarantine training and capacity building. The Comptroller General of NAQS, Dr. Vincent Isegbe has revealed.
The Comptroller General stated this during a meeting with the Provost of the Postgraduate College, ABU Zaria, Prof. Oluyinka Okubanjo, to discuss potential partnerships.
During the meeting, Dr. Isegbe emphasized that human capacity development is a top priority for NAQS, given the specialized nature of quarantine operations. He noted that quarantine is not currently taught in any Nigerian institution, and the service is open to collaborations aimed at developing a dedicated curriculum that will allow interested students and professionals to study quarantine as a discipline.
The proposed partnership aims to address this gap and provide training and capacity-building programs for NAQS staff and officers. Prof. Okubanjo commended NAQS for prioritizing capacity building and expressed ABU’s readiness to work with the service in shaping the proposed academic and professional programs. He affirmed that the collaboration would not only strengthen the Service but also contribute significantly to Nigeria’s overall agricultural and export competitiveness.
The collaboration is expected to empower NAQS officers with the knowledge and skills required for excellence. By working together, NAQS and ABU Zaria aim to position Nigeria’s quarantine system to meet international best practices. The partnership is timely, considering the increasing global recognition of quarantine in trade facilitation and public health.
Organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), World Health Organization (WHO), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) play central roles in setting standards for quarantine practices. NAQS and ABU Zaria are committed to working together to develop a comprehensive training program that will enhance the capacity of NAQS officers and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.