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The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, has urged Nigerian businesses to embrace regulatory compliance as a pathway to competitiveness, consumer confidence and access to international markets.
Adeyeye, who made the call at the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Breakfast Roundtable in Lagos, said compliance should be seen as a strategic investment rather than a regulatory burden.
She also received an Award of Excellent Performance from NACCIMA in recognition of her leadership, contributions to industry and efforts to combat fake and substandard drugs.
Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening Regulatory Compliance for Competitive Nigerian Businesses: Enhancing Food and Drug Safety for Local and International Markets,” the NAFDAC boss said businesses that consistently produce safe, high-quality products earn public trust, attract investment and gain greater access to local and international markets.
She said regulatory compliance was fundamentally about protecting lives by ensuring that food, medicines and other regulated products meet established standards of safety, quality and efficacy.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC’s regulatory processes, including inspections, product registration, licensing, laboratory testing and post-market surveillance, were designed to protect public health while creating an environment for responsible businesses to compete fairly and grow sustainably.
According to her, Nigerian manufacturers must embed quality and safety throughout the product lifecycle, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing, distribution and post-market monitoring.
She stressed the need for businesses to strengthen quality management systems, adopt Good Manufacturing Practices and invest in technology, traceability and continuous staff training.
Adeyeye also urged manufacturers to align their operations with international standards, including those of the World Health Organisation and Codex Alimentarius, to improve their competitiveness and export opportunities.
She said effective collaboration among regulators, industry, academia and consumers was essential to strengthening food and drug safety systems and building investor confidence.
“The message is simple: safe food and quality medicines build healthy communities, competitive businesses, and a stronger nation,” she said.
Adeyeye urged businesses to see compliance as a pathway to excellence, innovation and global competitiveness, adding that Nigerian-made products should not only be trusted locally but also respected and sought after across the world.
At the meeting, industry leaders and NACCIMA members commended her leadership and commitment to public health and industrial growth.
The award was presented amid applause from participants at the roundtable, which brought together captains of industry and key stakeholders from the organised private sector.
