The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has emphasised its commitment to due process in the importation of Rifampicin, an anti-leprosy drug, into Nigeria.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, explained the agency’s position on the matter in a statement on Monday.
She was responding to a BBC report titled “Vital leprosy drugs due in Nigeria after year delay”.
The report had suggested that NAFDAC had either delayed or prevented the importation of essential leprosy treatment.
Adeyeye explained that before any drug could be imported into Nigeria, it must undergo rigorous testing, laboratory checks, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
“This was the case with Rifampicin, the medicine in question, which NAFDAC was accused of delaying.
“The BBC report also highlighted a request from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for NAFDAC to lift its new testing policy to expedite the importation of the medicine.”
Adeyeye clarified that her response was aimed at providing accurate information and dispelling any misinformation circulating regarding the agency’s actions.
NAFDAC, Adeyeye recalled, was established to safeguard public health through a robust legal and regulatory framework, ensuring that only safe, effective and quality medicines were available in Nigeria.
“One of the agency’s key initiatives is the Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) Scheme which ensures that medicines from high-risk countries such as China and India, meet the required quality standards before being exported to Nigeria.
“This policy, in place since 2002 and strengthened in 2020, ensures that medicines imported into Nigeria meet the highest standards.
“A key component of this process is the submission of the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Products (CoPP), a document that verifies that a consignment of medicines has undergone thorough quality checks by the regulatory authority of the exporting country.
“Developed by WHO, the CoPP provides assurance that medicines comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and meet safety, quality, and efficacy requirements.”
Adeyeye clarified that the manufacturer of the Rifampicin consignment had failed to provide the necessary CoPP documentation, a critical part of the importation process.
“To address that, WHO requested a waiver for the required documentation, which NAFDAC reviewed.
“Upon receiving the appeal, NAFDAC requested a laboratory evaluation of the Rifampicin consignment from one of its approved CRIA laboratories in India to ensure the product met the necessary quality, safety, and efficacy standards.
“Following satisfactory laboratory results, assurances, and the need to replenish the stock of the medicine for Nigerian patients, NAFDAC granted approval for the Rifampicin shipment to be exported to Nigeria.”
Additionally, Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC was collaborating with local pharmaceutical industries to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines.
She said that the agency was strengthening regulatory systems and building local manufacturing capacity to ensure that quality medicines were available in Nigeria.
Adeyeye reassured the public that NAFDAC would continue to ensure the availability of only safe, efficacious, and quality medicines for distribution, sale, and use within Nigeria.(NAN)
[3/12, 6:49 AM] Official _nacho: World Cup Qualifier: Musa dropped as Umar, Ogbu, Arokodare make final cut
dolotop March 12, 2025
Super Eagles striker, Ahmed Musa. Credit: @Ahmedmusa71
Ahmed Musa failed to make the final cut as Super Eagles’ Head Coach Éric Chelle named his 23-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that former Super Eagles captain Musa was amongst 38 others who were initially selected in a provisional list ahead of the qualifiers.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Tuesday noted that Musa was dropped with the likes of Sadiq Umar, Igoh Ogbu and Tolu Arokodare making the final list.
“Chelle has named goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Kayode Bankole, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina in his final list of 23 players for the qualifying matches.
“Others include; midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses.
“Also in the final list are defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Umar.
“Czech Republic-based defender Ogbu makes the final cut, alongside home-based midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha, and Belgium-based forward Arokodare,”he said.
NAN reports that Nigeria will confront group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21st March before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo four days later.
LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE GAMES
Super Eagles of Nigeria
Super Eagles of Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium). (NAN)