By Danjuma Amodu | March 18, 2026
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has convened a national preparatory meeting ahead of the 28th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCVRDF28), scheduled to hold from May 23rd to 27th, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, brought together representatives from key 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.
Declaring the meeting open, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria and Chairman of the Ministerial Codex Committee, Dr. Samuel Anzaku, noted that the forum provides Nigeria with a platform to review the technical agenda of the upcoming international session, harmonise national positions, and ensure coordinated representation on key issues related to veterinary drug residues.
“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.
The Director-General of SON, represented by the Head of Standards Development, Yunusa Mohammed, commended the Ministry for convening the meeting, noting that it demonstrates a strong commitment to international food safety governance.
The meeting provided a forum to align inter-agency coordination, strengthen veterinary public health systems, and consolidate technical positions ahead of the Minneapolis session. Participants engaged in discussions on sampling methods, residue monitoring, risk management, and the responsible use of veterinary drugs.
