Nigeria’s reputation is on the line, and NAFDAC isn’t taking any chances. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued a serious warning to businesses and manufacturers operating within the Kano Free Trade Zone: stop cutting corners or risk damaging the country’s hard-earned global standing.
During a two-day meeting with investors and stakeholders, themed “Strengthening Partnership for Efficient Service Delivery in the Free Trade Zone,” NAFDAC’s Kano Coordinator, Kassim Ibrahim, delivered a clear message about integrity, accountability, and the dangers of substandard production. He reminded participants that NAFDAC currently holds a Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status under the World Health Organization’s Global Benchmarking Tool—a globally recognized indication of regulatory excellence. But, as Ibrahim warned, that status could crumble quickly if local manufacturers fail to meet international standards.
“Reputation,” he stressed, “is built over time but can be lost overnight.” Ibrahim explained that every product produced within the free trade zone, whether meant for the Nigerian market or for export, reflects directly on NAFDAC’s credibility. A single rejected consignment abroad labeled with NAFDAC’s registration number can taint Nigeria’s image in global trade circles. This raises a controversial question: Should agencies like NAFDAC be penalized for export failures caused by individual manufacturers, or should stricter pre-export checks be enforced to prevent such issues?
To maintain Nigeria’s credibility, Ibrahim urged all manufacturers to adhere strictly to NAFDAC’s rules and standards for quality, safety, and efficacy. He made it clear that national image and regulatory prestige depend on the consistency of product quality across all markets. To further ensure compliance, NAFDAC plans to conduct unannounced inspections within the zone, stepping up surveillance and cracking down on unethical or illegal manufacturing practices.
In a separate update, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), announced that the Kano Free Trade Zone generated a total of ₦18.8 billion in revenue over the past ten months—a growth milestone. Represented by the Zone’s Head, Richard Bassey, Ogunyemi disclosed that ₦1.8 billion came directly from the free trade zone’s operations, while the Nigeria Customs Service contributed ₦17 billion in revenue from within the zone. He praised the steady improvement from previous years and called the forum’s theme both timely and relevant, emphasizing its goal of eliminating operational inefficiencies and administrative bottlenecks to promote smoother trade flow.
But here’s the conversation starter: Can Nigeria balance the push for rapid industrial growth with the pressure to uphold world-class regulatory standards? Many investors argue that strict compliance requirements slow down productivity, while regulators insist that quality and safety must never be sacrificed for profit.
What do you think—should Nigeria prioritize speed and expansion, or safeguard its reputation by enforcing tighter oversight? Share your thoughts and let the discussion begin.