Who Is NAFDAC Director General: The Person Behind Nigeria's Food and Drug Administration

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is a regulatory agency in Nigeria that is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and chemicals. The agency was established by the Nigerian government in 1993, in response to the increasing need for effective regulation and control of food and drug products in the country.

Since its inception, NAFDAC has played a crucial role in ensuring that only safe and quality food and drug products are available to the Nigerian public. And at the helm of affairs of NAFDAC is the Director-General, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the agency. In this article, we will take a closer look at who the current NAFDAC Director-General is, his background, and his achievements.

Background

The current Director-General of NAFDAC is Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, who assumed office on November 3, 2017. Prior to her appointment as NAFDAC DG, Professor Adeyeye was a professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Product Evaluation at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Professor Adeyeye holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Pharmaceutics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a Master of Sciences (M.Sc.) degree in Pharmaceutics from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of Georgia. She also had post-doctoral training at the University of Kansas.

Career

Professor Adeyeye has had an illustrious career in academia, with many groundbreaking achievements to her name. She has published over 120 articles in both local and international journals and has been a visiting professor to several universities, including the University of Georgia, University of Kansas, and the University of Colorado.

Prior to her appointment as NAFDAC DG, Professor Adeyeye was a consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). She was also a consultant to several pharmaceutical companies in the United States, including Johnson and Johnson and Merck.

Achievements as NAFDAC DG

Since assuming office as the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Adeyeye has made significant strides in improving the agency's operations and increasing its efficiency. Some of her notable achievements include:

Strengthening the Agency's Regulatory Framework

Professor Adeyeye has taken steps to strengthen NAFDAC's regulatory framework, with a focus on improving the agency's capacity to detect and prevent the circulation of substandard and fake products in Nigeria. She has also implemented measures to ensure that only safe and quality products are imported into the country.

Streamlining NAFDAC's Registration Process

One of the major challenges faced by manufacturers and importers of food and drug products in Nigeria is the cumbersome registration process. Professor Adeyeye has taken steps to streamline the registration process, making it faster and more efficient for businesses.

Enhancing Public Awareness

Professor Adeyeye has also embarked on a public awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on the dangers of substandard and fake products, as well as the importance of purchasing only safe and quality products. She has also initiated programs to educate young people on the dangers of drug abuse.

Strengthening Collaborations

Professor Adeyeye has also strengthened collaborations with other regulatory agencies, both within and outside Nigeria. This has led to increased information sharing and a more coordinated approach to regulatory activities in the country.

Challenges

Despite the significant achievements made by Professor Adeyeye since assuming office as the Director-General of NAFDAC, there are still some challenges facing the agency. Some of these challenges include:

Inadequate Funding

NAFDAC, like many other government agencies in Nigeria, has been plagued by inadequate funding. This has negatively affected the agency's capacity to carry out its regulatory activities effectively.

Counterfeit Products

The circulation of counterfeit products remains a major challenge for NAFDAC. Despite the agency's efforts, substandard and fake products continue to find their way into the Nigerian market, posing a serious threat to public health.

Inadequate Infrastructure

NAFDAC's regulatory activities require adequate infrastructure, including laboratory facilities and equipment. However, the agency's infrastructure is still inadequate, making it difficult for the agency to carry out its activities effectively.

Final Thoughts

Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye has made significant strides in improving the operations of NAFDAC since assuming office as Director-General. Her efforts have led to a more efficient and effective regulatory agency, which has resulted in the detection and prevention of the circulation of substandard and fake products in Nigeria.

However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, including inadequate funding, the circulation of counterfeit products, and inadequate infrastructure. These challenges require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the government, regulatory agencies, and the private sector, to ensure that NAFDAC can continue to fulfill its mandate of ensuring the safety and quality of food and drug products in Nigeria.