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United Against Illicit Drugs: Customs, NAFDAC Move From Paper To Action

5 months ago
5 months ago

In a decisive push to protect Nigerians from harmful pharmaceutical products and hazardous substances, the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have inaugurated a Joint Implementation Committee to activate the terms of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024.

The formal inauguration took place on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, during an official visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, at her office in Abuja. The meeting signaled a major shift from dialogue to enforcement-focused collaboration between the two critical agencies.

The MoU, originally signed on November 14, 2024, during the CGC’s Annual Conference in Abuja, established a cooperative framework to jointly tackle the influx of counterfeit medicines and prohibited substances endangering public health and national security.

Reaffirming the Customs Service’s commitment to the pact, AThis implementation committee will drive our shared vision to protect Nigerians from harmful, unregulated substances. Every time we meet, your position has always been for us to come together and deepen collaboration.”deniyi said, “Customs Customs

The Implementation Committee, chaired by Olakunle Olaniran of NAFDAC, with Smart Akande, Director of Legal Services at the Nigeria Customs Service, as Deputy Chairman, will steer the joint agenda. Its Terms of Reference include developing a joint work plan, harmonizing operational procedures, coordinating training, monitoring outcomes, and solving regulatory bottlenecks.

Adeniyi added that the committee’s mandate is legally grounded, emphasizing that the collaboration will yield tangible, measurable results that reinforce national safety frameworks.

On her part, Prof. Adeyeye expressed confidence in the new phase of action, saying, “Regulatory cooperation with Customs is essential to our mission to rid Nigeria of fake and substandard products. We are committed to giving the committee all the support it needs to succeed.”

Customs
CGC Adeniyi with NAFDAC DG Moji Adeyeye

According to her, the partnership marks a vital evolution in inter-agency synergy, shifting from discussions to coordinated enforcement, and from isolated efforts to integrated national controls.

The historic inauguration of this committee marks a significant milestone in the fight against counterfeit drugs and reinforces the government’s broader commitment to public health, trade integrity, and national security.

For more updates on strategic governance and inter-agency reforms, visit fasnewsng.com.

By Folake Sokoya

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