NAFDAC boss seeks safe and healthy food for Nigerians

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, has called on Nigerians to renew their commitment to building a nation where every citizen has access to safe and healthy food.

Speaking at the 2026 World Food Security Day celebration in Lagos on Monday, Professor Adeyeye said food security is a fundamental human right and a critical component of public health and sustainable development.

The event, themed “From Burden to Solutions for Safe Food Everywhere”, brought together food sector stakeholders to discuss measures to strengthen food safety systems in Nigeria.

Represented by Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Eva Edwards, the NAFDAC head noted that foodborne diseases remain a major global health challenge, causing over 200 diseases and affecting public health, education, livelihoods and national economies.

He stressed that food safety concerns all actors along the food supply chain, from farmers and processors to distributors, retailers and consumers, and added that everyone has a role to play in ensuring that food remains safe from farm to fork.

According to her, the theme of this year’s celebration calls for practical and sustainable solutions through science-based regulation, food safety education, innovation and greater collaboration between stakeholders.

Professor Adeyeye said Nigeria must continue to strengthen its food safety systems, including regulatory oversight, surveillance, laboratory capacity and public awareness, to protect consumers, support nutrition and increase confidence in the nation’s food system.

He supported adherence to global best practices such as good agricultural practices, good hygiene practices, good manufacturing practices and the implementation of risk analysis and critical point control systems.

DG NAFDAC also urged consumers to remain vigilant by avoiding products without proper labelling, NAFDAC registration numbers and traceable sources, stressing that consumer awareness is a vital pillar of food safety.

“Getting safe food everywhere requires more than just regulation; it requires partnerships because food safety is a shared responsibility,” he said.