Nigeria’s agriculture sector will benefit from Halal products certification – Minister

By Matthew Eloyi

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment,  Amb. Mariam Katagum, stated that Halal products certification would encourage investment in Nigeria’s agriculture sector and generate prosperity for the country.

Katagum made the remarks at the inauguration of a 14-member Technical Committee on the Development of a Halal Certification Roadmap and Operational Framework in Nigeria.

The minister stated that Nigeria needed to tap into the massive and lucrative halal market, adding that certification would help Nigerian-made products gain traction in the global market.

Halal products are those that comply with all food safety, hygiene, and sanitation laws, and do not contain any ingredients that Muslims consider to be prohibited.

According to her, there is a growing demand for halal certified products around the world, particularly among the huge Muslim populations in the Middle East, North Africa, and elsewhere, creating a lucrative food supply chain.

In her words, “As at today, the global consumer base of halal products is estimated to be about 1.9 billion Muslims across 112 countries and the halal market is estimated to be worth 2.6 trillion U.S. dollars.

“The halal market is a huge and profitable segment of the economy. We cannot, therefore, ignore the importance of assuring our local and international consumers that our products are halal certified.

“Such certification will give our products a boost in local and international markets. It is aimed at increasing patronage and consumption of products coming from Nigeria not only by Muslims but also non-Muslims.

“The ministry proactively decided to establish a committee to address the lack of synergy in instituting Halal standards in the country as well as the inability of Nigeria to tap into the halal global market.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure that Nigeria takes advantage of the huge halal market for maximum benefit.

“Members of the technical committee have been carefully selected to develop the operational and strategic framework for Nigeria’s halal certification process and make Nigeria a hub for halal products in Africa.’’

As a result, Katagum asked members of the committee to complete their work thoroughly in order to give appropriate suggestions that would drive the policy thrust to improve Nigeria’s halal sector.