…stops registration of sachet alcohol
By Elizabeth Chimobi
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday unveiled a strategic plan to enhance its regulatory framework and public health initiatives.
The agency highlighted five key focus areas including strong governance and leadership, maternal newborn and child health, institutionalisation of best practices, safety and quality of regulated products, and monitoring of supply chains.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, highlighted these as part of the agency’s
broader efforts to address critical gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare and regulatory systems this year.
It aims to strengthen oversight, improve product quality, and ensure safer supply chains while prioritising the health of mothers and children.
She also disclosed that NAFDAC stopped the registration of sachet alcohol in February 2024 as part of efforts to curb its accessibility, especially among young people.
Adeyeye lamented the agency’s acute understaffing, saying NAFDAC requires at least 10,000 workers to effectively oversee Nigeria’s regulatory needs but currently has only 2,000 staff nationwide.
“We burn candles on both ends,” she stated. “Our current workforce is overstretched, but we remain committed to safeguarding public health and maintaining Nigeria’s global standing.”
To bridge the staffing gap, Adeyeye said the agency is engaging volunteers who undergo the same rigorous screening process as regular staff while awaiting statutory approval for additional hires.
She emphasised the importance of staff motivation, retention, improved remuneration, and capacity building through nationwide training initiatives.
Adeyeye announced plans to complete 10 state and zonal offices, including laboratories such as the Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices Laboratory in Oshodi. Investments in vehicles, laboratory equipment, computers, and solar panels will enhance operational efficiency and reduce energy costs.
She declared 2025 as the “Year of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health & Nutrition (MNCH&N).” The agency will prioritise the regulation of maternal health products such as oxytocin and carbetocin to prevent postpartum haemorrhage and reduce maternal mortality.
“For children, we will focus on the quality and availability of antimalarials, antibiotics, and ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for malnourished children,” Adeyeye said.
She added that manufacturers will be incentivised to produce paediatric medicines.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC aims to reduce the prevalence of substandard and falsified products to less than five per cent through stringent post-marketing surveillance and inspections. Cluster registration of globally listed products and enhanced stakeholder engagement will ensure consumer safety.
The agency is also expanding its regulatory focus on herbal medicines in collaboration with the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) to develop a Nigerian Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Traditional Medicine Formulary. Clinical trials for herbal products targeting malaria, diabetes, and hypertension are underway.
In the cosmetics sector, Adeyeye said NAFDAC will compare locally made products with imports to determine the need for protective policies favouring local manufacturers.
To secure regulated products, the agency plans to expand its GS1-driven track-and-trace technology to cover MNCH&N commodities, high-risk foods, and other critical medicines.
Under Adeyeye’s leadership, NAFDAC has achieved financial solvency, moving from a ₦3.2 billion debt in 2018 to stability. Continued digitisation of financial systems has enhanced transparency and efficiency, but she called for increased funding to expand staff strength and procure tools.
Advancing Public Health and Safety
“Our efforts are driven by a singular purpose—safeguarding the health of the nation. Together, we can achieve a safer, healthier Nigeria,” Adeyeye said.
On border security, Adeyeye noted plans to combat the smuggling of counterfeit products by enhancing surveillance at ports and borders, despite challenges posed by understaffing.
She also called for timely enforcement of the Executive Order on local content to give manufacturers ample time to adjust.
Responding to a question on Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, Adeyeye assured proactive pandemic preparedness, with a focus on local manufacturing of medical devices and pharmaceuticals to reduce reliance on imports during health crises.
On NAFDAC’s 2025 Strategic Plan, she concluded, is a bold vision to protect public health, strengthen supply chains, and enhance regulatory efficiency for a healthier Nigeria.