In a significant step toward enhancing public health and national security, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have formalized their collaboration with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement was sealed during the second day of the Comptroller-General of Customs’ 2024 Conference at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on November 14, 2024.
The MoU aims to bolster efforts to combat the influx of illicit pharmaceutical products and other harmful substances into the Nigerian market, emphasizing intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi lauded the MoU as the culmination of years of cooperation between both agencies. “This partnership is a response to a major scourge we are facing in the country,” he said, highlighting the shared commitment to safeguarding public health and safety. Adeniyi underscored the importance of Article 2 of the MoU, which focuses on intelligence sharing.
He shared an example of real-time collaboration, stating, “Sometimes, at midnight, NAFDAC DG sends intelligence to me, saying, ‘We learn that a suspicious container may be birthing in the morning.’ This kind of information flow is critical to our joint efforts.”
The CGC also reflected on the alarming prevalence of illicit pharmaceutical products entering the country. He expressed optimism that the partnership marked the start of a new era, stating, “It is time for all of us to say, collectively, that this will be the beginning of the end. We are going to save Nigeria and the future of our kids from these dangerous products.”
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Moji Adeyeye, described the MoU as a “significant stride” in protecting Nigerians from unsafe products. She highlighted the everyday impact of NAFDAC-regulated items, noting, “We consume at least two of our regulated products daily—food and healthcare items. This partnership is about ensuring that what we consume is safe and of the highest quality.”
Professor Adeyeye further emphasized the national security implications of unregulated products, pointing to cases where approved chemicals were misused by criminals and terrorists. She lamented the existence of “ghost companies” involved in illicit practices, adding, “This MoU marks the beginning of the end of such practices.”
The NAFDAC DG also expressed gratitude for the seamless collaboration between Customs and NAFDAC personnel, stressing that the initiative transcends individual contributions. “It’s not about NAFDAC; it’s not about Adeyeye or Adeniyi. It’s about saving the future of our country,” she said.
The MoU represents a united front against the challenges posed by illicit goods and reinforces the commitment of both agencies to safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians.
