- NAFDAC halts sachet alcohol registration to curb youth accessibility.
- The agency unveils a 2025 strategy prioritizing maternal and child health.
- Plans include expanding staff, boosting local manufacturing, and combating counterfeit products.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has stopped registering sachet alcohol products as part of efforts to curb accessibility, especially among young people.
During a press briefing in Lagos, NAFDAC Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye unveiled the agency’s 2025 strategic plan, emphasizing governance, safety, product quality, maternal and child health, and supply chain monitoring.
EDITOR’S PICK
- No 100% Telecom Tariff Hike – Details Of Meeting With Communication Minister Emerge
- Oxford English Dictionary Adds 20 Nigerian Words – Agbero, Japa, Make List (See All)
- Outrage as Lagos Teacher Slaps Toddler, Faces Investigation
She noted that the agency is severely understaffed, with just 2,000 employees managing tasks that require a workforce of 10,000.
“Our current workforce is overstretched, yet committed,” Adeyeye said, revealing plans to recruit volunteers and expand staff numbers through statutory approvals.
Enhancing staff capacity through rigorous training and improved remuneration remains a top priority.
In infrastructure, NAFDAC plans to complete 10 state and zonal offices and advanced laboratories, including a Vaccines and Medical Devices Lab in Lagos.
Investments in solar energy, vehicles, and equipment aim to boost operational efficiency.
Adeyeye also declared 2025 as the “Year of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health.”
The agency will regulate products like oxytocin and antimalarials to prevent maternal mortality and address child malnutrition.
Manufacturers will receive incentives to produce high-quality paediatric medicines.
To combat substandard and counterfeit products, NAFDAC will intensify surveillance, expand its track-and-trace technology, and enhance border security. Collaboration with stakeholders will ensure compliance and transparency.
Additionally, NAFDAC is focusing on local content, calling for timely enforcement of the Executive Order to promote indigenous industries.
FURTHER READING
- Girl, Boyfriend Nabbed By Police for Staged Kidnap and Ransom Plot in Asaba
- Two Nigerians Face 40-Year Jail Term for $560,000 Romance Scam in U.S.
- Lagos Police PRO Benjamin Hundeyin Promoted to CSP Rank
Efforts are also underway to develop herbal medicine standards and foster local cosmetics production.
Addressing pandemic preparedness, NAFDAC emphasized reducing dependence on imported medical supplies. Prof. Adeyeye concluded,
“Our efforts are driven by one purpose—safeguarding the health of the nation. Together, we can achieve a healthier Nigeria.”
