NAFDAC Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Regulatory Reforms, AMA

The National agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control,NAFDAC, in collaboration with World Bank, the Bank of Industry, and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare held a stakeholders meeting in Abuja.

The event, themed “Nigeria’s Leadership in Strengthening Medicines Regulation and Public Health in Africa,” brought together key national, regional, and international stakeholders to advance dialogue on regulatory excellence and continental collaboration.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted NAFDAC’s regulatory transformation in recent years, driven by strategic reforms, digital innovation, strengthened enforcement, and alignment with international best practices.

These efforts have enhanced transparency, efficiency, and turnaround time for regulatory processes, while reinforcing the Agency’s capacity to safeguard public health and support national development. Nigeria’s growing regulatory maturity continues to position the country as a leading authority in medicines regulation across Africa.

A central focus of the engagement was Nigeria’s commitment to the African Medicines Agency (AMA), an African Union initiative aimed at harmonising medicines regulation, improving access to quality-assured medical products, and strengthening health systems across the continent. Stakeholders emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in pharmacovigilance, manufacturing oversight, and the fight against substandard and falsified medical products.

The forum also provided a platform to deepen partnerships with development agencies, the private sector, academia, and international organisations, while exploring investment opportunities in local pharmaceutical manufacturing and regulatory capacity development. Participants reaffirmed the need for sustained collaboration to drive innovation, strengthen systems, and enhance access to safe, effective, and quality medicines.

NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to advancing regulatory excellence, promoting public health, and supporting Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa’s health security agenda. The Agency emphasised that the outcomes of the engagement will contribute to strengthening stakeholder confidence, fostering investment, and accelerating the implementation of a robust, modern regulatory framework aligned with continental and global standards.