Deborah Akinyosoye
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has disclosed that it has stopped the registration of sachet alcohol since February 2024 as part of a campaign to curb its accessibility, especially to young people.
At a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye reflected on the agency’s accomplishments over the past seven years and outlined a transformative vision for 2025.
Adeyeye said the agency will be focusing on five pillars including strong governance and leadership, maternal newborn and child health, institutionalization of best practices, safety and quality of regulated products and monitoring of supply chain.
According to her, “A cornerstone of the strategic plan is addressing the agency’s greatest need: an adequately staffed workforce.” Adeyeye noted that despite NAFDAC extensive regulatory responsibilities, the agency is acutely understaffed.
She said to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Benchmarking requirements, the agency plans to engage volunteers while awaiting statutory approval for additional hires.
She said the agency required a total of 10,000 workers to effectively oversee the population’s needs but has only 2000 staff nationwide.
“We burn candles on both ends,” she stated, emphasizing that the current workforce is overstretched but remains committed to safeguarding public health and maintaining Nigeria’s global standing.
“Efforts to address this include stringent recruitment processes to ensure integrity and competence. While the agency seeks to double or triple its current staff, funding constraints have limited the pace of expansion.
“Volunteers are also being incorporated into the workforce, with candidates undergoing the same rigorous screening as regular staff.
“Staff motivation and retention remain key priorities, with a focus on improved remuneration and capacity building. Training initiatives will target officers in all 36 states to enhance skills in regulatory inspection, post-marketing surveillance, clinical trial monitoring, and customer service. Monthly seminars with strategic partners like the Nigeria Customs Service, NDLEA, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria will ensure cross-agency collaboration and knowledge sharing.”
On infrastructure and tools for efficiency, she said NAFDAC plans to complete 10 state and zonal offices, as well as laboratories, including the Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices Laboratory in Oshodi. Investments in vehicles, laboratory equipment, and computers will bolster efficiency, while solar panels will be integrated into selected facilities to reduce energy costs.
On safety and Quality: 2025 as the Year of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, Adeyeye said NAFDAC has declared 2025 as the “Year of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health & Nutrition (MNCH&N).”
“The agency will prioritize the regulation of maternal health products such as oxytocin, tranexamic acid, and carbetocin to prevent postpartum hemorrhage and reduce maternal mortality.
“For children, emphasis will be placed on the quality and availability of antimalarials, antibiotics, and ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for malnourished children.
“Manufacturers will be incentivized to produce pediatric medicines, supported by regulatory inspection and WHO Prequalification processes, she stated.
Further, on tackling Substandard and Falsified Products: “The agency aims to minimize the prevalence of falsified and substandard 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 transparency and consumer safety.”
On its focus on Herbal Medicines and Cosmetics, she said NAFDAC is expanding its regulatory focus on herbal medicines, collaborating 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 being planned.
“In the cosmetics sector, the agency will compare locally made products with imports to determine the need for protective policies favoring local manufacturers. Quarterly stakeholder training will ensure compliance with health and safety standards.”
Speaking on the Supply Chain Visibility and Traceability, she said to secure regulated products, NAFDAC will expand its GS1-driven track-and-trace technology to MNCH&N commodities, ensuring visibility and protection from diversion or infiltration.
“This system, already applied to COVID-19 vaccines and antimalarials, will now extend to high-risk foods and other critical medicines.
For financial prudence and sustainability, she said under her watch, NAFDAC has achieved financial solvency, moving from a ₦3.2 billion debt in 2018 to a stable footing.
“Continued digitization of financial systems has enhanced transparency and efficiency. Moving forward, the agency seeks increased funding to expand staff strength, procure tools, and create conducive work environments.
She said the NAFDAC 2025 Strategic Plan is a bold vision to enhance regulatory efficiency, protect public health, and promote local industry, adding that with a focus on maternal and child health, strengthened supply chains, and expanded workforce capacity, NAFDAC is poised to lead Nigeria into a healthier future.
Adeyeye said: “Our efforts are driven by a singular purpose—safeguarding the health of the nation. Together, we can achieve a safer, healthier Nigeria.”
Speaking on other critical issues like the Executive Order on local content, she called for timely enforcement of the order to ensure manufacturers have ample time to adjust before it expires.
On border security and counterfeit products, she said to combat the smuggling of unregulated and counterfeit products, NAFDAC is enhancing surveillance at ports and borders.
“However, understaffed borders remain a challenge. The agency plans to utilize pre-screened candidates to bolster manpower as soon as statutory approvals are granted.”
Responding to a question on the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, she emphasized its proactive approach to pandemic preparedness.
While awaiting WHO guidance, she said the agency has prioritized local manufacturing of medical devices and pharmaceuticals to mitigate overdependence on imports during health crises.