The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced its readiness to collaborate with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Moji Adeyeye disclosed this during a meeting with NCTC National Coordinator Maj-Gen. Adamu Laka in Abuja. The NCTC delegation visited NAFDAC to request personnel for their DNA laboratories.
Adeyeye emphasized that a partnership between the agencies would help safeguard Nigerian lives.
“NAFDAC is strategically positioned to combat drug counterfeiting, abuse, and unauthorized chemical handling that fuels terrorism and criminal activities,” she said.
Highlighting NAFDAC’s status as a World Health Organization Maturity Level 3 Regulatory Authority, Adeyeye noted its well-equipped labs and qualified experts, but pointed out the agency’s staffing shortfall.
“We are supposed to have 12,000 staff but have barely 2,000 in a country of over 230 million,” she added.
Adeyeye also expressed gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser for reinstating NAFDAC at the ports in 2018, which she said helped curb the influx of harmful substances.
“Tramadol was rampant. At a point, I wondered if Nigeria was being targeted for destruction. Our youth were being affected, and terrorism was on the rise,” she remarked.
She commended the NCTC’s support and pledged continued collaboration. “We want to strengthen the partnership so counterfeiters know we’re vigilant. The support of armed forces and security agencies is crucial for NAFDAC’s operations,” Adeyeye stated.
Laka praised NAFDAC’s expertise in science and research and promised ongoing support in operations, research, laboratory testing, and investigation. He also requested additional personnel from NAFDAC to assist in operationalizing the NCTC’s laboratory equipment and analysis.
