President Tinubu Felicitates NAFDAC on Retaining WHO Maturity Level 3 for Regulation of Medicines, Vaccines
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on maintaining the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status for the regulation of medicines and vaccines.
President Tinubu sent his congratulatory message in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, affirming that the WHO conducted a re-benchmarking exercise from May 28 to May 30, 2025, assessing NAFDAC against globally recognised standards for regulatory performance.
“NAFDAC attained ML3 status in 2022, becoming Africa’s first National Regulatory Authority to achieve this milestone in regulating medicines and vaccines (non-producing). In consonance with the WHO policy, periodic reviews are conducted to ensure sustained compliance.
“The latest evaluation followed a formal re-benchmarking in November 2024 and five Institutional Development Plan (IDP) review meetings between February and April 2025 to assess progress on corrective actions,” he noted.
The President welcomed WHO’s verdict, saying: “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, stressing that this achievement strengthens Nigeria’s standing as a reliable partner in global health security and pandemic preparedness.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines and vaccines in accordance with international best practices.
He said that this milestone complements his Renewed Hope Agenda to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system and highlighted ongoing efforts by his administration to upgrade over 17,000 primary health centres nationwide, improve maternal care and diagnostics in underserved communities, train 120,000 frontline health workers, and double national health insurance coverage within three years.
The Nigerian leader further stated that promoting local production of healthcare products remains a priority and pledged that Nigeria will continue to collaborate with credible partners, development agencies, and donor organisations to promote the pharmaceutical sector, attract investment in health-related industries, and expand local manufacturing capacity.
He assured that his administration will continue to support NAFDAC in its journey towards achieving WHO’s Maturity Level 4 — the highest global standard of regulatory excellence.
