The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have inaugurated a joint committee to implement the provisions of their 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at combating the circulation of fake and substandard drugs.
The spokesperson for the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Maiwada, the committee was officially inaugurated at NAFDAC’s headquarters during a visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Moji Adeyeye.
The MoU was signed on November 14, 2024, to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in curbing the importation and distribution of illicit pharmaceuticals and other harmful substances in Nigeria.
Maiwada described the committee’s inauguration as a practical move to translate the agreement into concrete action, reinforcing the commitment of both agencies to public health and safety.
During the visit, Adeniyi reaffirmed the Customs Service’s dedication to the partnership, emphasizing that the formation of the committee was a critical milestone in implementing the MoU’s goals.
He praised Adeyeye’s consistent advocacy for inter-agency synergy and highlighted the committee’s role in driving a unified agenda to protect Nigerians from unsafe and unregulated products.
“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,” Adeniyi stated.
He noted that the MoU’s terms of reference had been clearly defined and would guide the committee’s activities. These include developing a joint work plan, coordinating communication and training programmes, harmonising operational procedures, overseeing monitoring and evaluation efforts, and identifying challenges with practical solutions.
Adeniyi expressed confidence that the committee’s work would produce tangible results for public health and national security.
He also stressed that the MoU is legally binding under Nigerian law, reaffirming its enforceability.
In her remarks, Prof. Adeyeye said the collaboration with the Customs Service is central to national efforts to eliminate fake, substandard, and dangerous products from the market.
She assured the committee of NAFDAC’s full support, stressing the importance of their mandate and the urgency of their mission.
The committee will be chaired by Olakunle Olaniran of NAFDAC, with Smart Akande, the Director of Legal Services at the NCS, serving as Deputy Chairman.
