The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken new steps to strengthen its workforce as Nigeria positions itself to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The agency in a post shared on Friday, said in a recently held a one-day training session for its staff, organised by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, to clarify NAFDAC’s role in ensuring safe trade across African markets.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the AfCFTA marks a major turning point for Africa, offering vast opportunities for growth while demanding stronger regulatory oversight.
Read Also: NAFDAC burns N15bn fake, expired drugs to protect public health
She stressed that the expected rise in cross-border movement of goods would require tighter vigilance at entry points and the use of intelligence-led monitoring systems to stop substandard or falsified products from entering the market.
Prof. Adeyeye explained that beyond safeguarding public health, the agency also plays a vital role in enabling Nigerian manufacturers to compete favourably within the continent.
The NAFDAC boss called for faster and more efficient export certification procedures, along with improved cooperation among national and regional regulatory bodies to align standards and share information on unsafe products.
She further urged staff to adopt a culture of continuous learning and to approach their duties with the mindset of “regulatory ambassadors.” According to her, the agency’s attainment of the World Health Organization’s Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status places it among Africa’s leading regulatory agencies and reflects its commitment to maintaining high standards in product safety and quality.
