Nigeria Customs partners with NAFDAC to combat smuggling of harmful pharmaceuticals

NIGERIA — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have officially joined forces to strengthen public health and national security.

This collaboration was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Comptroller-General of Customs’ 2024 Conference in Abuja.

The agreement signifies a united front against the smuggling of harmful pharmaceuticals and other unsafe products into the country.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, hailed the partnership as the result of years of focused dialogue and cooperation between the two agencies.

Speaking at the event, Adeniyi emphasized the critical role of the Customs Service in safeguarding the nation from threats to public health and safety.

“Today’s signing is the culmination of months, even years, of regular consultations between our agencies,” he noted.

“This partnership addresses a significant challenge we face in combating the influx of illicit and dangerous goods.”

Similarly, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, described the MoU as a milestone in ensuring the safety and quality of everyday essentials consumed by Nigerians.

She highlighted the relevance of NAFDAC’s regulatory role, noting that nearly every Nigerian interacts daily with at least two of its regulated products, such as food and healthcare items.

“This collaboration is about safeguarding the food, drugs, and healthcare products we rely on. It’s a step toward ensuring they meet the highest standards of safety and quality,” she stated.

The MoU is expected to strengthen the ability of both agencies to combat the proliferation of substandard and counterfeit goods.

By combining the enforcement powers of NCS with NAFDAC’s regulatory expertise, the partnership aims to improve monitoring and prevent harmful products from reaching Nigerian markets. 

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