Address by Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye at the 49th Annual International Conference of the Chemical Society of Nigeria

Address by Prof. Adeyeye C. M

Director General NAFDAC

49th Annual International Conference of the Chemical Society of Nigeria

NAF Conference Centre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kado, Abuja.

15th September, 2026

Theme: “Innovations in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry for Affordable Healthcare Delivery”

Distinguished President and members of the Chemical Society of Nigeria,
Esteemed scientists, researchers, academia, industry leaders, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I feel honoured to address this distinguished gathering at the 49th International Conference of the Chemical Society of Nigeria. I commend the Society for its unwavering commitment to advancing chemical sciences and providing a platform that fosters innovation, collaboration, and national development.

The theme of this conference, “Innovations in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry for Affordable Healthcare Delivery,” is not only timely but central to Nigeria’s health security and economic resilience. Chemistry remains the backbone of discovery of medicines be it synthetic or herbal, and medicinal chemistry is core to discovery of new chemical entities. The process includes design, synthesis (through computational and combinatorial chemistry), and optimization of chemical compounds into active pharmaceutical ingredients accompanied with quality assurance for use as therapeutic medications

At the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), we recognize that innovation must go hand in hand with strong regulatory systems. Without effective regulation, even the most groundbreaking discoveries cannot translate into public health impact.

The Imperative of Innovation for Affordable Healthcare

Nigeria, like many developing countries, faces significant challenges in access to affordable medicines. High dependence on imports, rising production costs, and vulnerabilities in global supply chains continue to impact availability and pricing.

Innovations in medicinal chemistry offer solutions through:

• Development of cost-effective drug molecules and generics
• Exploration of natural products and indigenous knowledge systems
• Improved drug delivery systems that enhance efficacy and reduce dosage costs
• Process chemistry innovations that lower manufacturing expenses

I therefore urge our scientists and researchers to focus not only on discovery but also on scalability, affordability, and local relevance.

NAFDAC’s Role in Supporting Innovation

NAFDAC is actively repositioning itself as an enabler of innovation, not just a regulator. In alignment with global best practices and in collaboration with the World Health Organization and other partners, the Agency has undertaken several reforms:

• Strengthening regulatory science and research capacity to support evaluation of new products
• Advancing digitalization of regulatory processes for efficiency and transparency
• Accelerating product registration pathways for priority and essential medicines
• Promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing through regulatory incentives and guidance
• Implementing pharmaceutical traceability systems to safeguard supply chains

These efforts are aimed at creating a predictable and enabling environment where innovation can thrive while ensuring public safety.

Bridging Academia, Industry, and Regulation

One of the critical gaps in our ecosystem is the disconnect between academic research, industry application, and regulatory pathways. Many promising discoveries in our universities do not progress to commercialization.

To address this, we must:

• Strengthen industry–academia partnerships
• Promote translational research and commercialization frameworks
• Encourage regulatory engagement early in product development
• Invest in research infrastructure and funding mechanisms, including the National Research and Innovation Fund

NAFDAC remains open to collaboration with researchers and institutions to guide product development from laboratory to market.

One of the staff benefits that was initiated in 2021 is opportunity to embark on post graduate studies within the country and preferably in the city of work formation. The staff can conduct the research part of the thesis/dissertation in NAFDAC with adequate support with equipment and supplies.

Quality, Safety, and Public Trust

While we pursue innovation, we must never compromise on quality, safety, and efficacy. Substandard and falsified medicines or unwholesome foods remain a major threat, undermining both public health and confidence in the healthcare system.

This is why NAFDAC continues to strengthen:

• Ban of pesticides that could make food unsafe to consume – phased banning form 2021 to date
  • NAFDAC works with stakeholders such as Crop Life for grass root implementation
• Micronutrient supplementation to ensure that the foods we consume will improve quality of health – from 2019 to date
• Large scale food fortification in collaboration with sister agencies (SON and FCCPC) and in complianace with Nigerian Industrial Standards – 2021 to date
• Post-Market Surveillance systems
  • Expanded the scope form the market place to include health care facilities around the country
  • Intense surveillance and raid of open drug markets (see Enforcement below) and markets where foods are adulterated
• Laboratory capacity and quality assurance frameworks
  • Central Drug Control Laboratory attained WHO Prequalification – September 2023
  • Five out of seven NAFDAC laboratories are ISO 17025 certified
    • Others are being prepared for certification

• Enforcement against counterfeit products (Examples)
  • Extensive raid of Eziukwu and Ariara markets with evacuation andndestruction of counterfeit wines and adulterated foods worth billions of naira in 2023/2024
  • Kano open drug markets of Sabon Gari, Malam Kato and Mai Karaimi to the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (February 2024)
  • Raid and Good Storage and Distribution Practice enforcement at Idumota, Onitsha Bridge Head and Aba open drug markets (February/March/April 2025)
    • Evacuation and destruction of 137 40-foot truckloads of banned, unresisted, substandard/falsified medicines worth more than 1 trillion naira
  • Raid of expired and obsolete chemicals used in food, pharmaceutical, and general industrial manufacturing in Alapere, Lagos – July 2025
  • Raids in Trade Fair, Lagos of substandard falsified, expired medicines and cosmetics – 2021 to date with heightened intensity over the last two years 

Innovation must be responsible, ethical, and aligned with regulatory standards.

A Call to Action

As we deliberate at this conference, I call on all stakeholders:

• Researchers: Focus on solutions that address Nigeria’s health priorities in collaboration with NAFDAC
• Industry players: Invest in local production and innovation
• Government and policy makers: Strengthen support for policies that would impact research and development
• Professional bodies like the Chemical Society of Nigeria: Continue to champion scientific excellence and policy advocacy
• Regulatory Agencies:
  • Strengthen regulatory framework by ensuring the quality, safety, efficacy or wholesomeness of regulated products to safeguard the health of the citizenry
    • NAFDAC has gazetted over thirty regulations on chemicals, food and drug since 2021 for implementation and enforcement as stated above to build confidence and trust with consumers
    • Stakeholders awareness education on quality, safety and wholesomeness of regulated products
  • Ensure the pharmaceutical and chemical industries are strong and competitive locally, continetally and globally

Together, we can build a robust pharmaceutical sector that delivers safe, effective, and affordable healthcare solutions to all Nigerians.

Conclusion

“Chemistry remains the backbone of NAFDAC’s regulatory functions, providing the scientific basis for product evaluation, quality assurance, safety monitoring, and enforcement—thereby ensuring that only safe, effective, and high-quality products reach the Nigerian consumer.”

The future of healthcare in Nigeria depends on our ability to harness science, innovation, and regulation in a coordinated and strategic manner. Medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry must serve not only as a field of academic pursuit but as a catalyst for national development and improved quality of life.

NAFDAC remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that innovation translates into tangible health outcomes for our people.

I wish you all fruitful deliberations and a successful conference.

Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.