President Bola Tinubu has commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for retaining the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Maturity Level 3 status for the regulation of medicines and vaccines. This achievement is a testament to Nigeria’s growing credibility in global health security and pandemic preparedness.
What This Means for Nigeria:
- Global Recognition: NAFDAC’s retention of Maturity Level 3 status demonstrates its commitment to upholding international standards in regulating medicines and vaccines.
- Improved Healthcare: This milestone complements the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system.
- Increased Investment: The achievement is expected to attract investment in health-related industries and promote local manufacturing capacity.
NAFDAC’s Journey:
- First in Africa: NAFDAC became the first national regulatory authority in Africa to attain Maturity Level 3 status for the regulation of medicines and vaccines in non-producing countries in 2022.
- Recent Evaluation: The agency underwent a WHO re-benchmarking exercise from May 28 to May 30, 2025, which assessed its performance against international regulatory standards.
President Tinubu’s Pledge:
- Continued Support: The President assured that his administration will continue to support NAFDAC in its journey towards achieving WHO’s Maturity Level 4, the highest global regulatory standard.
- Healthcare Reforms: Tinubu highlighted ongoing health sector reforms, including upgrading primary healthcare centers, improving maternal care, and expanding national health insurance coverage.