By Muhammad Amaan
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has retained the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status for the regulation of medicines and vaccines.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the agency on retaining the WHO’s Maturity Level 3 status.
Health Reporters Newspaper reports that the WHO has conducted a re-benchmarking exercise from May 28 to May 30, assessing NAFDAC against internationally recognised standards for regulatory performance.
NAFDAC attained ML3 status in 2022, becoming Africa’s first National Regulatory Authority to achieve this milestone in regulating medicines and vaccines (non-producing). In line with WHO policy, periodic reviews are conducted to ensure sustained compliance.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the latest evaluation followed a formal re-benchmarking in November 2024 and five Institutional Development Plan (IDP) review meetings between February and April 2025.
President Tinubu welcomed the WHO’s verdict that NAFDAC has successfully maintained a regulatory system that operates as a stable, well-functioning, and integrated framework for medicines and vaccines regulation (non-producing).
He noted that this achievement is the result of sustained government investment in strengthening Nigeria’s regulatory system.
He commended NAFDAC’s management and staff for their professionalism, consistency, and dedication to safeguarding public health, adding that the milestone reinforces Nigeria’s reputation as a reliable partner in global health security and pandemic preparedness.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines and vaccines in line with international best practices.
He said the milestone aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He also highlighted progress in upgrading over 17,000 primary health centres nationwide, improving maternal care and diagnostics in underserved communities, training 120,000 frontline health workers, and doubling national health insurance coverage within three years.
He stressed that promoting local production of healthcare products remains a top priority, pledging continued collaboration with credible partners, development agencies, and donor organisations to boost Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, attract investment in health industries, and expand local manufacturing capacity.
President Tinubu assured that his administration will support NAFDAC’s efforts towards attaining WHO’s Maturity Level 4 – the highest global standard of regulatory excellence.
