NAFDAC DG Defends Precedent, Says: ‘I Came Back From US To Serve Nigeria’

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has defended her nine-year tenure at the agency, rejecting calls for her resignation and insisting that she would return to Nigeria after decades in the United States to help develop the country.

Adeyeye made the remarks during a meeting with journalists on Monday, where he spoke about his career, the challenges he inherited at NAFDAC and the progress recorded under his leadership.

The NAFDAC chief said she spent 34 years in the United States, including about 30 as a professor, before retiring and returning to Nigeria to serve.

“I lived in the United States for 34 years. I was a teacher for 30 years in an all-white school. I retired happily. I came here to serve, but some Nigerians have an aversion to service,” she said.

He expressed concern about what he described as a widespread expectation among public officials and citizens to personally benefit from public service.

According to her, the “what can I get?” mentality. contributed to the deterioration of Nigeria’s institutions and public image.

“I was ashamed of my country”

Adeyeye said his decision to return to Nigeria was partly driven by a desire to change perceptions of the country and its institutions.

“I came here to serve. I retired happily. I was ashamed of my country. I came to remove some of the shame. And the world is seeing it,” she said.

The NAFDAC boss also challenged anyone accusing her of demanding money from contractors to produce evidence.

“Any contractor I asked for money should come here and tell me,” he said, insisting that his motivation for running the agency was public service rather than personal enrichment.

Adeyeye served as Director General of NAFDAC for approximately nine years, during which the agency faced various regulatory, operational and public health challenges.

NAFDAC inherited liabilities of $3.2 billion

The agency’s director general recalled the financial and operational difficulties he encountered when he took up the role.

According to her, NAFDAC inherited about $3.2 billion in outstanding liabilities, while much of its laboratory equipment was non-functional.

She said between 70 and 80 percent of the agency’s laboratory equipment was not working when she took over, while the information and communications technology infrastructure was also in poor condition.

Adeyeye further revealed that NAFDAC directors had no laptops purchased by the agency as of 2017, describing the situation as part of the challenges his administration has faced.

It said clearing inherited liabilities was among its immediate priorities, adding that around $3.1 billion had been paid by November 2018.

The agency gains international recognition

Adeyeye also highlighted what he described as improvements in NAFDAC’s international regulatory position.

He said the agency moved from maturity level one to maturity level three by March 2022, making it the third agency in Africa to achieve this status.

According to her, NAFDAC also became an affiliate member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum in 2023 and joined the International Council for Harmonization in 2025.

Adeyeye said the findings have helped improve the agency’s reputation internationally, noting that regulatory agencies in other countries now have greater respect for NAFDAC.

He recalled that when he first took office, he spent a lot of time rebuilding the agency’s image due to the negative perception surrounding it.

“In the first two years I went around creating images, rebuilding our bad image. They called NAFDAC ‘good for nothing agency’. This is my ninth year,” he said.

NAFDAC faces criticism over regulations

Despite the improvements cited by the Director General, NAFDAC continued to face criticism from some manufacturers, civil society groups and other stakeholders over some of its regulatory decisions.

One of the controversial issues was the agency’s enforcement of restrictions on sachet alcohol and small polyethylene terephthalate bottles under 200 ml.

Critics of the policy have argued that the restrictions could affect jobs, businesses and investments in affected industries, while NAFDAC has argued that its regulatory measures are primarily designed to protect public health.

The agency has also remained under pressure to tackle counterfeiting and poor quality of medicines, food, beverages and cosmetics circulating in the Nigerian market.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC has intensified its enforcement operations, including the destruction of counterfeit products worth over $1.5 trillion over the past three years.

“When will you resign?”

The NAFDAC director general has also faced persistent calls for his resignation, suggesting his record in office should be considered alongside criticism.

“So that question; ‘when will you resign’? I hope you got the answer?” he asked.

Adeyeye said she returned to Nigeria after a successful career abroad because she wanted to serve and help strengthen an institution critical to the health and safety of Nigerians.

He said the progress recorded by NAFDAC demonstrates that public institutions could be transformed when officials prioritize service and accountability over self-interest.