Manufacturers must see compliance as investment, not cost – NAFDAC DG

L – R: DG, NACCIMA, Dr. Shola Obadimu; DG, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, and 2nd Deputy President, NACCIMA, Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, at the Roundtable/Breakfast Meeting, held at Lagos on Wednesday.

Charles Okonji

Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, has called on the Organized Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) to shift their perception of regulatory compliance from a bureaucratic hurdle to a strategic asset capable of unlocking global market opportunities.

Prof. Adeyeye made this call while delivering her address at the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Roundtable on Wednesday, in Lagos.

​Speaking on the theme “Strengthening Regulatory Compliance for Competitive Nigerian Businesses: Enhancing Food and Drug Safety for Local and International Markets,” NAFDAC DG emphasized that compliance goes beyond fulfilling legal requirements, saying that it is fundamentally about human safety and business sustainability.

According to her, “​Adherence to regulatory standards enhances market access, builds consumer trust, attracts investments, and drives long-term profitability.

​”Quality cannot be tested into a product after manufacturing; it must be built into every step of the lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to post-market monitoring.

​”Embracing global frameworks such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), ISO 22000, and Codex Alimentarius is non-negotiable for Nigerian products seeking export acceptance.

“Product safety extends past manufacturing facilities to proper storage, distribution networks, and robust end-to-end traceability systems.

“Leveraging digital tools improves data integrity, inventory management, regulatory reporting, and recall processes.”

​On Collaborative Vision for “Made in Nigeria,” Prof. Adeyeye noted that protecting public health from substandard and falsified products requires active collaboration among regulatory bodies, industry players, academia, and consumers.

​She urged corporate leaders to integrate compliance into their overarching corporate governance, invest in staff capacity development, and maintain constant inspection readiness.

​”Safe food and quality medicines build healthy communities, competitive businesses, and a stronger nation. Let us therefore see compliance not as a burden, but as a pathway to excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness,” the NAFDAC DG stated.

​She expressed optimism that with aligned commitment between NAFDAC and the private sector, products manufactured in Nigeria will not only command domestic confidence but also achieve high regard and demand across international markets.

In his opening remarks, the National President of NACCIMA, Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, who was represented by the 2nd Deputy President, Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, emphasized the urgent need for a regulatory environment that balances public health and safety with local production, enterprise growth, and business competitiveness.

​Addressing industry leaders, chamber members, representatives of government and regulatory institutions, and the press, Engr. Ibrahim highlighted that while effective regulation is vital for protecting consumers, building confidence, and ensuring Nigerian products meet domestic and international standards, businesses continue to grapple with significant hurdles.

​”However, businesses, particularly SMEs and local manufacturers, continue to face challenges relating to compliance costs, product registration, certification and regulatory procedures,” Engr. Ibrahim noted.

He stressed that stakeholders must work together to translate discussions into meaningful improvements that strengthen industry competitiveness.

​However, NACCIMA reaffirmed its commitment to representing the interests of the private sector and fostering constructive partnerships with government and regulatory institutions to build a more competitive Nigerian economy.