From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has warmly congratulated the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for successfully maintaining the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status for its regulation of medicines and vaccines.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the WHO conducted a rigorous re-benchmarking exercise between May 28 and May 30, 2025, applying globally recognised standards to evaluate NAFDAC’s regulatory performance. This reassessment follows a prior evaluation in November 2024, alongside five Institutional Development Plan (IDP) review meetings held from February to April this year.
Speaking on the achievement, President Tinubu welcomed the WHO’s verdict, stating: “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 lauded the professionalism, consistency, and dedication of NAFDAC’s management and staff, emphasising that the accomplishment enhances Nigeria’s reputation as “a reliable partner in global health security and pandemic preparedness.”
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s capacity to ensure “the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines and vaccines in line with international best practices,” linking this success to his Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at transforming the country’s healthcare system.
Highlighting ongoing healthcare initiatives, the President acknowledged progress in upgrading over 17,000 primary health centres nationwide, improving maternal care and diagnostics in underserved areas, training 120,000 frontline health workers, and doubling national health insurance coverage within three years.
On local pharmaceutical production, he said, “Promoting local production of healthcare products remains a priority.”
He pledged continued collaboration with credible partners, development agencies, and donor organisations to strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, attract investment in health-related industries, and expand local manufacturing capabilities.
Looking ahead, President Tinubu assured that his administration would support NAFDAC’s efforts to reach WHO’s Maturity Level 4—the highest global standard for regulatory excellence—stating: “We will continue to back NAFDAC in its journey toward achieving the highest standards in medicine and vaccine regulation.”
NAFDAC first attained ML3 status in 2022, becoming the first National Regulatory Authority in Africa to reach this milestone for non-producing medicines and vaccines regulation. The WHO policy mandates periodic reviews to ensure sustained compliance, underscoring the significance of Nigeria’s continued high performance.
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