President Bola Tinubu has commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on retaining the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status for the regulation of medicines and vaccines.
The WHO re-benchmarking exercise, conducted from May 28 to 30, 2025, assessed NAFDAC against globally recognised standards for regulatory performance.
Nigeria’s regulatory authority first attained ML3 in 2022, becoming the first in Africa to achieve the milestone for regulating medicines and vaccines (non-producing). In line with WHO policy, periodic reviews are conducted to ensure continued compliance.
The latest evaluation followed a formal re-benchmarking in November 2024 and five Institutional Development Plan (IDP) review meetings between February and April 2025 to assess progress on corrective actions.
Welcoming the WHO verdict, President Tinubu noted: “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.”
The President commended NAFDAC’s management and staff for their professionalism, consistency, and dedication to safeguarding public health.
He said the achievement enhances Nigeria’s standing as a reliable partner in global health security and pandemic preparedness.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines and vaccines in line with international best practices, President Tinubu stressed that the milestone aligns with his Renewed Hope Agenda to transform the healthcare system.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives to upgrade over 17,000 primary health centres nationwide, improve maternal care and diagnostics in underserved areas, train 120,000 frontline health workers, and double national health insurance coverage within three years.
He also underscored the priority placed on promoting local production of healthcare products.
President Tinubu pledged continued collaboration with credible partners, development agencies, and donors to boost the pharmaceutical sector, attract investment in health-related industries, and expand local manufacturing.
He assured that his administration will support NAFDAC in its quest to attain WHO Maturity Level 4, the highest global standard of regulatory excellence.
