The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has raised concerns over the agency’s critical staff shortage, which is limiting its ability to fulfill its regulatory duties effectively.
During a special interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Adeyeye highlighted that while NAFDAC plays a central role in regulating substandard and falsified medicines, the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) also shares responsibility, particularly in registering drug-selling sites and practitioners.
Challenges of Staff Shortages
Prof. Adeyeye pointed out that both NAFDAC and PCN are grappling with inadequate staffing, significantly hampering their ability to cover all regions of the country. She called on the government to urgently address the situation to enhance their operational efficiency.
“PCN registers drug-selling sites, whether small kiosks or large shops, and the practitioners, but the severe staff shortages faced by both agencies hinder our ability to operate effectively across Nigeria,” she explained.
The DG compared Nigeria’s regulatory staffing to Indonesia’s, noting that while Indonesia, with a population of 280 million, has 20,000 regulatory staff, Nigeria, with a population of 220 million, has only 2,000 staff in NAFDAC.
Labour Union Issues and Resolution
Addressing recent labour union demands within NAFDAC, Adeyeye clarified that issues such as staff promotions based on examination results are determined by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOS), not NAFDAC management.
“The Head of Service determines the number of staff promotions. It’s not a decision NAFDAC can make independently,” she stated.
She noted that discussions with the unions, coupled with interventions from the presidency, had temporarily resolved the crisis.
Management’s Commitment to Staff Welfare
Prof. Adeyeye underscored the agency’s commitment to its workforce, ensuring the timely payment of salaries, allowances, and other benefits. She emphasized that her tenure as DG has brought significant positive changes to NAFDAC, fostering a supportive and staff-focused management style.
“Things have improved considerably in NAFDAC. The staff now feel assured they have a management that supports and advocates for them,” she concluded.
NAFDAC continues to seek government intervention to strengthen its workforce, enabling the agency to fulfill its mandate of safeguarding public health effectively.
