Directorates
NAFDAC’s Directorates
To effectively execute her mandate to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, NAFDAC is made up of 20 Directorates. Each Directorate is headed by a Director. However, here are some units under the DG’s Office which are coordinated by the Director of Special Duties (SD).
NAFDAC Directorates
Responsible for the regulation and control of Chemicals, Agrochemicals and Controlled Chemicals by maintaining a database of all imported regulated chemicals and precursor chemicals; as well as the inspection of chemical warehouses.
In charge of regulation and control of locally manufactured and imported drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and herbal medicinal products through effective document review and evaluation, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections and by ensuring the conduct of quality clinical research.
The Directorate is structured into four (4) Divisions as follows: Food Registration Affairs, Food Regulatory Affairs, Food Advert Control and Imported Food and Feed. They undertake the registration of food, chewing gum and packaged water, regulate and control the importation, manufacture, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of food, chewing gum and packaged water.
The laboratory is tasked with testing and evaluating medical products submitted for regulatory actions and investigations. Its primary goal involves assessing the quality, safety, efficacy, and wholesomeness of various regulated products, including drugs (both orthodox and herbal) and cosmetics in accordance with WHO Good Practices for Pharmaceutical Quality Control Laboratories and ISO 17025:2017 standards.
Post-marketing surveillance (PMS) is a crucial aspect of regulatory
activities to ensure the availability of quality, wholesome regulated
products for consumer use. PMS is a continuation of quality assurance
and quality control even after GMP is properly carried out for
consistency. This involves monitoring and evaluating the quality and by extension the safety and effectiveness of drugs, medical devices, food, and cosmetic products after they have been approved and made available for the public.
Ensures that foods manufactured, imported, exported, distributed, sold and marketed in Nigeria meets the highest quality standards for food safety through quality document review and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) inspections.
Responsible for the regulation and control of locally manufactured and imported veterinary drugs, animal vaccines and biologics, pesticides and agrochemicals, animal feed and premix through qualitative document review and evaluation, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections and issuance of permits.
Responsible for ensuring compliance with the Agency’s mandate by enforcing the law and making sure violating offenders are prosecuted.
The Directorate of Laboratory Services Food, Oshodi, Lagos is structured into three (3) Divisions as follows, Chemical, Biological, Port Harcourt Area Laboratory.
Carries out the registration of all regulated products and also in charge of developing, updating, compiling and periodic review of standard specifications, regulations and guidelines for the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement and sale of all regulated products.
Responsible for regulation and control of narcotics, psychotropic drugs and other controlled substances through the issuance of permit for the import of such products as well as ensuring that the use of these products are limited to medical and scientific purposes.
In charge of the day to day administration of both human and material resources for the effective and efficient performance of the entire workforce for optimum productivity.
Ensures that all NAFDAC regulated products imported and exported out of Nigeria meet requisite standards of quality, safety and wholesomeness. This is achieved through the inspection of imported regulated products at the ports of entry before release as well as the issuance of quality certification of regulated products meant for export.
In charge of all legal matters concerning the agency including prosecution of offenders to NAFDAC act, drafting of legal processes, rendering legal advice and opinion to all NAFDAC formations, vetting of registration documents and preparation of the Agency’s position on Bills in the National Assembly.
Responsible for the day to day administration of financial and accounting functions of the Agency in line with the provisions of the Financial Regulations, Fiscal Responsibility Act, Procurement Act 2007, extant rules and regulations; and other acceptable accounting standards.
In charge of planning, collecting, collating, storing and retrieving data; coordinating the activities and achievements of all directorates of the Agency for a more strategic planning; monitoring and evaluation of all Agency’s activities in line with approved work plan; as well as the collation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports of all Agency’s directorates
The Directorate of Laboratory Services Agulu, Anambra is structured into two (2) Divisions as follows: Food and Water, Drug Registration and Investigation Drug Compliance. The Laboratory conducts appropriate tests and ensure compliance with standard specifications designated and approved by the NAFDAC Council for the effective control of the quality of food, drugs and cosmetics.
The Directorate of Laboratory Services Kaduna Area Laboratory is structured into two (2) Divisions as follows: Food and Water, Drug Registration and Investigation Drug Compliance. The Laboratory investigates and pronounces on the quality, safety, efficacy and wholesomeness of regulated products both imported and locally manufactured.
Monitors the overall safety of all medicines through the maintenance of a pharmacovigilance Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) database as well as the coordination of all other pharmacovigilance activities nation wide to provide evidence-based information for the safe use of medicines; and maintaining an effective system for Post Marketing Surveillance of all regulated products in collaboration with Marketing Authorisation Holders (MAHs).
Vaccines, Biologics and Medical Devices Laboratory is responsible for the testing and award of disposition to all medicinal products submitted for regulatory actions and investigations. The objective of the laboratory is to provide reliable analytical laboratory services to the agency by ensuring conformance to ISO 17025:2017- General requirements for the competence of testing and calibrating Laboratories. The Laboratory investigates and pronounces on the quality, safety, efficacy and wholesomeness of regulated products both imported and locally manufactured including Vaccines, Biologics and Medical Devices.
The Directorate has the responsibility for the registration, regulation and oversight of vaccines, biologics, and medical devices, including In Vitro Diagnostics, by developing guidelines, granting approvals, and monitoring compliance. Additionally, it includes leading the NAFDAC Committee for Vaccines and Biologics.
