Customs, NAFDAC sign MoU to boost public health in Nigeria
In a landmark effort to safeguard Nigeria’s public health and enhance national security, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) formalised a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, November 14, 2024. The agreement was sealed during the Comptroller-General of Customs’ 2024 Conference at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
The historic MoU aims to strengthen collaboration between the two agencies in tackling the infiltration of illicit pharmaceutical products and harmful substances into the country. It underscores a shared commitment to protecting citizens from substandard and potentially dangerous goods.
Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi described the agreement as the result of years of sustained dialogue and collaboration between the agencies. Speaking on the initiative, he highlighted the NCS’s critical mandate to protect national security, public health, and safety. “What we have witnessed today is the culmination of efforts spanning several months—indeed, years—of continuous consultation between NAFDAC and Customs. This partnership is our collective response to a grave menace,” Adeniyi stated.
Adeniyi emphasised that the MoU’s provisions, specifically outlined in Article 2, focus on comprehensive collaboration, with a special emphasis on intelligence sharing. He noted the importance of this exchange in combatting threats to public health. “Sometimes, at midnight, NAFDAC DG sends me intelligence about a suspicious container due to arrive in the morning. This kind of real-time information sharing is vital to our joint mission,” he said.
Reflecting on the cooperation between NAFDAC and Customs staff, Adeniyi expressed appreciation for the efforts of personnel at Nigeria’s ports and borders. He recalled previous operations to curb the influx of illicit pharmaceuticals and declared, “When we declared a state of emergency at one of our ports, we were misunderstood, but we knew it was just the beginning. This MoU is a decisive step towards saving our country’s future.”
NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Moji Adeyeye, hailed the agreement as a “significant stride” in ensuring the safety of everyday products consumed by Nigerians. “This partnership is about you and me, about every Nigerian who consumes food, drugs, and other health products daily. It is about ensuring these products meet the highest safety standards,” she said.
Adeyeye further highlighted the national security risks posed by unregulated and illicit products, noting that even approved chemicals can be repurposed for criminal or terrorist use. “This issue has national significance. We cannot afford to let ghost companies or unlisted manufacturers jeopardise public health. This MoU signifies the beginning of the end for such practices,” she stated.
The NAFDAC DG also expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Customs, stressing that their partnership transcends individual roles and agency mandates. “This initiative is not about NAFDAC, Customs, or even about us as individuals. It’s about securing the health and safety of future generations,” Adeyeye concluded.
The partnership is expected to enhance surveillance and enforcement actions, fostering a safer environment for all Nigerians by mitigating the risks associated with the circulation of harmful and unregulated products.
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