Remarks by Prof. Adeyeye C M,
Director General NAFDAC
Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Between
NAFDAC and the United Nations World Food Programme
NAFDAC Headquarters, Abuja
11th August, 2025.
PROTOCOLS
Kushro JAWED, Head of Supply Chain
Mohamed MOAWAD, Head of Food Safety and Quality
Olabisi OGUNGBEMI, Head of Governmental Partnerships
Owen OSAIGBOVO, Food Safety and Quality Assistant
Distinguished NAFDAC Directors, Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my distinct honour and pleasure to be here today in person, to welcome you to our Agency, and to have the opportunity to deepen our ongoing collaboration by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between our organizations, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). This is indeed a memorable occasion and one I am particularly glad about.
NAFDAC and the WFP have already established a collaborative engagement on food safety and quality activities even before the signing of this MoU today, and we are desirous of strengthening this collaboration through the MoU.
This is in recognition of the important role that WFP plays in saving lives during emergencies and using food assistance as a means of building a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change. However, food must be safe for human consumption. As NAFDAC, with the mandate to regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, our responsibility is to verify that the food meets safety and quality parameters established and will not cause harm when consumed.
As I mentioned earlier, collaboration between both our organizations has already commenced particularly in the area of food fortification. This is a testament to the good foundation that has already been laid for the successful implementation of our MoU.
Over the period of implementation of the MoU our partnership will focus on strengthening and promoting bilateral cooperation in the field of food safety and quality, particularly in the areas identified in the MoU. Therefore, the MOU we are signing today will govern our partnership in three core areas:
- Ensuring comprehensive, efficient and expeditious coverage of food safety and quality assessments undertaken by NAFDAC for WFP in order to streamline processes and maximize outcomes
- Establish suitable parameters for the efficient and expeditious fulfilment of WFP requests for food disposal; and
- Engage in capacity strengthening and technical assistance activities, to deepen the understanding and implementation of food safety and quality protocols as applicable for both Parties.
As NAFDAC, we commit to bringing in our strengths and meeting our obligations towards successful implementation and I am confident that both sides will complement each other through this MoU by sharing knowledge, skills, lessons learned, and best practices for mutual growth, benefit, and sustainability of our food safety and quality system.
On this note, I reiterate our Agency’s commitment to the successful implementation and express my delight at the signing of the MoU signifying the formalizing of our relationship. I seize this opportunity to also express on behalf of our Agency, NAFDAC, my deep appreciation to the leadership of the United Nations World Food Programme in Nigeria and the Headquarters for the commitment in forging and deepening our collaboration.
Thank you.
Director General NAFDAC
