Nigeria Customs, NAFDAC Cement Historic Partnership with MoU to Curb Illicit Drug Influx
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have formalised a landmark partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This agreement, aimed at combating the influx of illicit pharmaceuticals and other harmful substances, was sealed on Thursday, 14th November 2024, during the second day of the Comptroller-General of Customs’ Conference at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
This new alliance marks a pivotal development in the ongoing efforts of both agencies to tackle the scourge of unregulated drugs and harmful products entering Nigeria.
Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi described the MoU as a result of years of sustained dialogue and collaboration.
Speaking at the event, he highlighted the Customs Service’s commitment to protecting 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.”
The MoU’s provisions underscore the importance of intelligence sharing between Customs and NAFDAC, a measure both agencies regard as vital to their mission.
In his remarks, Adeniyi noted that Article 2 of the MoU establishes a framework for this intelligence collaboration.
“We’ll be talking about the exchange of intelligence between our agencies,” he said. Illustrating this, he recounted a recent incident where, “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.”
Adeniyi further emphasised the determination of both Customs and NAFDAC officers at ports and border stations, acknowledging their dedication in dealing with illicit drugs and counterfeit goods.
Reflecting on the gravity of the challenge, he stated, “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.”
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Moji Adeyeye, also addressed the gathering, hailing the MoU as a “significant stride” in protecting Nigerians from harmful substances.
“It is important because of you and me,” Adeyeye remarked, underscoring the ubiquity of NAFDAC-regulated products in the daily lives of Nigerians. She elaborated, “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 warned of the security risks posed by unregulated products, pointing out that certain chemicals approved for legitimate use can be repurposed by criminals and terrorists.
“This is of national significance,” she asserted, further lamenting the proliferation of unregistered “ghost companies” bypassing NAFDAC’s regulations. She declared, “This MoU marks the beginning of the end of such practices.”
Expressing her gratitude for the support of Customs officers, Professor Adeyeye emphasised that this initiative is a national commitment that transcends individual or organisational credit.
“It’s not about NAFDAC; it’s not about Adeyeye or Adeniyi. It’s about saving the future of our country,” she concluded.
The MoU between NCS and NAFDAC represents a determined step towards a more secure Nigeria, reinforcing the agencies’ shared mission to protect citizens from harmful products and to preserve the health and well-being of future generations.
