PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for retaining the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status for the regulation of medicines and vaccines.
Recall that the WHO re-benchmarking exercise, conducted from May 28 to 30, assessed NAFDAC against globally-recognised standards for regulatory performance and found it worthy to retain the ML3 status, whioch it first attained in 2022, thereby becoming the first in Africa to achieve the feat.
In line with WHO policy, periodic reviews are conducted to ensure continued compliance, and the latest followed a formal re-benchmarking in November last year and five Institutional Development Plan (IDP) review meetings between February and April this year to assess progress on corrective actions.
Reacting to the feat, Tinubu stated: “NAFDAC has successfully maintained a regulatory system that operates as a stable, well-functioning and integrated framework for regulating medicines and vaccines (non-producing).
“This achievement results from investment by the Government of Nigeria in strengthening the regulatory system.”
He commended NAFDAC’s management and staff for their professionalism, consistency and dedication to safeguarding public health, adding that the achievement enhances Nigeria’s standing as a reliable partner in global health security and pandemic preparedness.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines and vaccines, in line with international best practices, stressed that the feat aligns with his Renewed Hope Agenda to transform the healthcare system.
Tinubu underscored the priority placed on promoting local production of healthcare products, pledging continued collaboration with credible partners, development agencies and donors to boost the pharmaceutical sector, attract investment in health-related industries and expand local manufacturing.
He assured NAFDAC of his administration’s support in its quest to attain WHO highest global standard of regulatory excellence, Maturity Level 4.
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