Reported by: Ijeoma .G | Edited by: Henry Owen
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s effective engagement in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by enhancing regulatory capacity and fostering inter-agency collaboration.
The declaration was made during a one-day capacity-building training organized for NAFDAC staff by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, under the theme: “The Role of NAFDAC in AfCFTA Implementation.” The program focused on equipping staff with knowledge and tools to manage the increasing flow of regulated products across African borders.
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In her address, Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye described the AfCFTA as a defining milestone for Africa, highlighting the dual opportunities and responsibilities it presents for NAFDAC in safeguarding public health. She stressed that as trade volume grows, vigilant monitoring at ports and intelligence-driven inspections will be crucial to preventing the circulation of substandard and falsified products.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized NAFDAC’s pivotal role in supporting the Nigerian industrial sector, noting the need for efficient export certification and streamlined regulatory processes to enable manufacturers to compete effectively in the continental market while maintaining high safety and quality standards.
She also underscored the importance of collaboration among regulatory agencies, both within Nigeria and across Africa, to harmonize standards, strengthen mutual recognition arrangements, and facilitate intelligence-sharing on unsafe products. This, she explained, would ensure that regulatory practices align with continental best practices and enhance trade facilitation.
The Director-General encouraged staff to embrace continuous learning and deepen their understanding of AfCFTA’s implications for regulatory science. She urged them to act as “regulatory ambassadors” for Nigeria and the continent, promoting compliance, safety, and transparency.
Prof. Adeyeye also highlighted that NAFDAC’s WHO Global Benchmarking Tool Maturity Level 3 (GBT ML3) status positions the agency as a model for regulatory excellence across Africa, demonstrating its capacity to lead in both public health protection and continental trade facilitation.
The training reflects NAFDAC’s proactive approach to equipping its workforce with the necessary skills to manage regulatory challenges, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and position Nigeria as a trusted partner in African trade. By reinforcing its regulatory framework, the agency aims to ensure that increased trade under AfCFTA contributes to economic growth without compromising public safety.
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