The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have officially unveiled a joint implementation committee to combat illicit pharmaceuticals in the country.
This follows a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both agencies in 2024.
Recall that the MoU was signed on November 14, 2024, during the second day of the CGC’s Annual Conference held in Abuja, when the two agencies officially agreed to join forces against the influx of illicit pharmaceutical products and harmful substances into the country.
The committee was inaugurated when the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his delegation paid an official visit to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, at her office in Abuja, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
The visit aimed to translate the MoU into actionable programmes, with both the Legal Adviser to the NCS, Smart Akande, and NAFDAC representative, Olakunle Olaniran, present to reinforce the institutional commitment behind the move.
Speaking during the visit, CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s unwavering commitment to the collaboration, noting that the constitution of the implementation committee represents the next critical step in realising the spirit and letter of the agreement.
Adeniyi commended Prof. Adeyeye’s commitment to fostering collaboration, stating: “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 disclosed that the terms of reference of the MoU had already been developed to guide the committee’s work, including the development of a joint work plan, coordination of communication and training programmes, harmonisation of operational standards, monitoring and evaluation, and the identification of challenges with actionable solutions.
The Customs boss also expressed confidence that the committee’s work would provide measurable outcomes that benefit public health and national security, adding that the agreement remains legally binding and governed by Nigerian law, as captured in the document’s provisions.
On her part, the NAFDAC DG expressed satisfaction with the pace of progress, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to the full implementation of the MoU.
She affirmed that regulatory cooperation with Customs was central to efforts to rid the country of fake, substandard, and harmful products, and pledged to give the committee every support needed to succeed.
Adeyeye noted that the inauguration of the committee serves as a strong shift from dialogue to action that will strengthen national controls, improve operational synergy, and protect the health and safety of Nigerians.
The committee comprises representatives from both agencies, with Olakunle Olaniran of NAFDAC as Chairman and Smart Akande, Director of Legal Services/Legal Adviser to the NCS, as Deputy Chairman.
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