The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has held a national preparatory meeting ahead of the 28th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCRVDF28), scheduled for May 23 to 27, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.
The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, brought together representatives from key regulatory and government institutions, including the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, alongside directors and senior officials of the livestock ministry.
Speaking at the opening, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria and Chairman of the Ministerial Codex Committee, Dr. Samuel Anzaku, said the engagement was necessary to enable Nigeria to review technical issues on the agenda and align its national position ahead of the global meeting.
“This meeting enables Nigeria to consolidate its positions on veterinary drug residues, ensuring that our contributions at the global stage reflect the interests and priorities of our country,” he explained.
He further emphasised the importance of veterinary drugs in supporting animal health and productivity, noting that effective regulation and monitoring remain critical to safeguarding public health and maintaining consumer confidence in animal-derived food products.
Also speaking, the Director-General of SON, represented by the Head of Standards Development, Yunusa Mohammed, praised the Ministry for organising the session, describing it as a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to global food safety standards.
He noted that participation in Codex activities allows the country to project its interests in the development of international standards, while also strengthening collaboration across agencies involved in food safety, veterinary drug regulation, residue control, and aquaculture.
Mohammed added that officials from NAFDAC and the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture have already been registered for the upcoming session, underscoring Nigeria’s readiness to actively contribute to deliberations.
Other stakeholders at the meeting called for stronger alignment of national policies, improved coordination among relevant agencies, and more effective monitoring systems. They stressed the need for unified technical positions, strengthened residue surveillance, and strict compliance with international standards to enhance consumer protection and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global livestock market.
Deliberations at the meeting focused on key technical areas, including sampling procedures, residue monitoring, risk management strategies, and the responsible use of veterinary drugs. The session also served as a platform to deepen collaboration, reinforce veterinary public health systems, and finalise Nigeria’s position ahead of the Minneapolis meeting.
