The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has inaugurated a joint Implementation Committee with the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Moji Adeyeye, to operationalise the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two agencies in 2024.
During an official visit to NAFDAC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Adeniyi and Prof. Adeyeye reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing the terms of the agreement, which seeks to curb the influx of illicit and substandard pharmaceutical products into Nigeria.
Also in attendance were Smart Akande, Legal Adviser to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and Olakunle Olaniran of NAFDAC—key figures who are now leading the newly inaugurated committee as Deputy Chairman and Chairman respectively.
The MoU, signed on November 14, 2024, during the second day of the CGC’s Annual Conference in Abuja, outlines collaborative efforts in regulation, enforcement, and information sharing between Customs and NAFDAC.
CGC Adeniyi described the formation of the committee as a pivotal step toward translating the agreement into measurable outcomes. “Every time we meet, your position has always been for us to come together and deepen collaboration. This implementation committee will drive our shared vision to protect Nigerians from harmful, unregulated substances,” he said.
He noted that the Terms of Reference guiding the committee’s work have been developed, covering areas such as joint work planning, harmonisation of standards, training, monitoring and evaluation, and problem resolution.
Prof. Adeyeye expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far and pledged NAFDAC’s full support for the committee’s work. She emphasised that regulatory collaboration with Customs is essential to eliminating fake and dangerous products from Nigerian markets.
“The inauguration of this committee marks a shift from dialogue to decisive action, which will enhance national controls and ensure better protection for the health and safety of Nigerians,” she stated.
The committee includes representatives from both agencies and is expected to meet regularly to drive implementation of the MoU.
