The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has revealed that recent regulatory reforms have significantly bolstered local drug production and attracted foreign investments in Nigeria's health products sector. This statement was made during her presentation at the Invest Nigeria Conference & Expo 4.0, organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.

In her presentation titled "The Roles of NAFDAC with Regards to Investments in Nigeria," Adeyeye detailed the various regulatory measures introduced by NAFDAC that have led to increased local manufacturing and investment. She emphasized the agency's sustained Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status, which is recognized as the highest benchmarking rating in Africa, and Nigeria's full membership in the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH), achieved in November 2025.

The NAFDAC DG pointed out that the agency's 5+5 Policy and Ceiling List have played pivotal roles in enhancing contract manufacturing and local production capabilities. Since the implementation of these measures, the number of contract manufacturing partnerships has surged from just 10 companies in 2019 to an impressive 87 companies by 2025. Additionally, as of June 2026, NAFDAC has approved 176 facility layout reviews, with over 70% of products under these directives now being locally manufactured.

Adeyeye also noted a marked increase in foreign direct investment within the sector, highlighting partnerships with firms from Asia and the Middle East. She cited joint ventures and technology transfers involving companies from India, South Korea, and Turkey as evidence of this growth. Furthermore, she referenced the Presidential Executive Order on Local Production, which she believes has reinforced NAFDAC's regulatory framework.

In her closing remarks, Adeyeye stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among regulators, investors, and other stakeholders in creating an environment conducive to investment while ensuring public health is safeguarded. She urged all stakeholders to maintain their collaboration with NAFDAC, reiterating the agency's commitment to fostering a market-friendly regulatory environment that not only protects public health but also enhances Nigeria's domestic production capacity.