Tunde Bakare
In a landmark move towards safeguarding Nigeria’s public health and national security, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have formalised a strategic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, 14th November 2024.
The event took place on the second day of the Comptroller-General of Customs’ 2024 Conference held at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The historic event aims to strengthen collaboration in combatting the influx of illicit pharmaceutical products and other harmful substances into Nigeria.
Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi described the agreement as the culmination of years of dedicated dialogue and coordination between the two agencies.
Highlighting the critical mandate of the Customs Service in safeguarding national security, public health, and safety, stating, “What we have seen today is a culmination of efforts for several months—I must say, years—of regular consultation between the two of us. This partnership is a response to a major scourge we are facing in the country.”
Emphasising the specific provisions of the MoU, Adeniyi noted that Article 2 of the document outlined a comprehensive scope of collaboration, particularly in intelligence sharing, adding, “We’ll be talking about the exchange of intelligence between our agencies.
CGC Adeniyi further said, Sometimes, at midnight, NAFDAC DG sends intelligence to me, saying, “We learn that a suspicious container may be birthing in the morning. This kind of real-time information flow is critical to our joint efforts.”
Reflecting on the collaborative bond that has grown between NAFDAC and Customs personnel, CGC Adeniyi emphasised the hands-on commitment shown by officers at the nation’s ports and border stations.
He said, “When we declared a state of emergency in one of our ports, we were misunderstood, but the reports we have received indicate we are just scratching the surface of illicit pharmaceutical products entering our markets. It is time for all of us to say, collectively, that this will be the beginning of the end. We are going to save Nigeria and the future of our kids from these dangerous products.”
Speaking earlier, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Moji Adeyeye, described the signing of the MoU as a “significant stride”, pointing out the daily impact of the products regulated by her agency on Nigerians.
She said, “It is important because of you and me,” Adeyeye explained. We consume at least two of our regulated products every day—food and healthcare items. This partnership is about ensuring that the food, drugs, and healthcare products we take are safe and of the highest quality.”
Professor Adeyeye highlighted the threats posed by unregulated and illicit products to national security, as some approved chemicals can be misused by criminals and terrorists, adding, “This is of national significance.”
She lamented, “We have ghost companies that are not on our lists. This MoU marks the beginning of the end of such practices.”
Professor Moji further expressed gratitude for the close partnership with Customs officers, affirming that the initiative transcends individuals and agencies, stressing that, “It’s not about NAFDAC; it’s not about Adeyeye or Adeniyi. It’s about saving the future of our country.”