Tinubu lauds NAFDAC for retaining WHO regulatory status on medicines, vaccines
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on retaining its Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for regulation of medicines and vaccines.
The commendation is in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Monday in Abuja.
The WHO conducted a re-benchmarking exercise from May 28 to 30, assessing NAFDAC’s performance against global regulatory standards.
NAFDAC first attained ML3 status in 2022, becoming the first African National Regulatory Authority to achieve this for medicines and vaccines (non-producing).
In line with WHO protocols, the revalidation involved periodic reviews to confirm sustained compliance with international benchmarks.
The latest evaluation followed formal re-benchmarking in November 2024 and five institutional development plan (IDP) review meetings held between February and April 2025.
The president described the WHO recognition as “a reflection of the government’s significant investments in NAFDAC’s regulatory capacity.
“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 investments by the government of Nigeria in strengthening the regulatory system.”
He also commended NAFDAC’s leadership and staff for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to protecting public health.
Mr Tinubu said the achievement reinforced Nigeria’s credibility as a trusted player in global health security and pandemic preparedness.
He restated the government’s commitment to strengthening regulatory systems and ensuring safe, effective and high-quality medicines and vaccines.
He noted that the milestone aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda to transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
He highlighted progress in upgrading over 17,000 primary health centres nationwide to improve healthcare access.
Other efforts include expanding maternal care, upgrading diagnostics in rural areas and training 120,000 frontline health workers.
Mr Tinubu also committed to doubling national health insurance coverage within three years to improve access to essential health services.
He stressed that boosting local manufacturing of medicines and medical products remains a key priority.
He pledged continued collaboration with development partners and donors to expand investment in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
He assured that his administration would support NAFDAC to attain WHO Maturity Level 4, the highest global regulatory standard.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
Shell to sell Nigeria gas distribution business to Vaaris Energy
Meanwhile, the company said the transaction was still subject to regulatory approval, and Shell Nigeria Gas Group would remain part of Shell until the deal was sanctioned.
States
NAF recovery team, navy, NSIB divers recover crashed aircraft components
The Nigerian Air Force says recovery teams have retrieved additional components from its ATR 42-500 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda village of Ondo.
NationWide
Tinubu govt commits N84 billion to ending child marriage by 2030
The federal government has proposed N84.48 billion to implement a five-year national strategy to end child marriage by 2030.
Health
Accountability key to better health service delivery: Aig-Imoukhuede
Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s chief says effective leadership, a skilled health workforce and strong accountability systems are critical to improving primary healthcare delivery.
Economy
IMF advises countries to replace fuel subsidies with targeted support for poor people
The International Monetary Fund has urged countries to replace blanket fuel subsidies with targeted support for vulnerable households.
Politics
ECOWAS electoral bodies adopt AI guidelines to boost election integrity
ECONEC, an umbrella body for election management bodies in West Africa, has adopted a regional guideline on using artificial intelligence in electoral processes.
