Prof. Adeyeye’s Drug Regulation Milestones Earn Accolades At Sam Pharmaceuticals Unveiling

 

L-R: Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Chairman of Sam Pharmaceutical Ltd, Mr. Amit Bhojuwani, wife of Chairman of Sam Pharmaceutical Ltd, Mrs. Amit Bhojuwani, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Ayodele, Olota of Ota , HRM Oba (Prof.) Adeyemi AbdulKabir Obalanlege, DG. NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Moji Adeyeye, former president of PSN, Pharm. Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai, and National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the healthcare value chain (PVAC), Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, during the commissioning of the Sam Pharmaceuticals, a new manufacturing facility in Lagos, on Wednesday.

••• Industry Leaders Celebrate Adeyeye's Push For Production, Affordability Of Local Medicines
•••To Reposition Nigeria As Africa’s leading Pharmaceutical Hubs With Global Recognition

 

President PSN, Alhaji pharmacist Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, Registrar PCN, Pharmacist Ahmed Babasheu, Chairman, Fidson Healthcare plc, Mr Fidelis Ayebae, DG. NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Moji Adeyeye and Chairman, Sam Pharmaceutical Ltd, Mr. Amit Bhojuwani, at the commissioning of Sam Pharmaceuticals, a new manufacturing facility in Lagos, on Wednesday,

Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, received numerous accolades as Sam Pharmaceuticals commissioned a new manufacturing facility in Lagos, signalling the growing impact of regulatory reforms that are increasing local drug production, attracting investment, and positioning Nigeria as one of Africa's leading pharmaceutical hubs.

The commissioning of Sam Pharmaceutical Ltd’s facility was described as a landmark moment for Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry. The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Adeyeye, was the focus of tributes from speakers at the event, who praised her leadership in advancing local manufacturing and strengthening regulatory systems. These include President PSN, Alhaji pharmacist Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, Registrar PCN, Pharmacist Ahmed Babasheu, Chairman, Fidson Healthcare plc, Mr Fidelis Ayebae, DG. NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Moji Adeyeye and Chairman, Sam Pharmaceutical Ltd, Mr. Amit Bhojuwani.

Others are the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Ayodele, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwatomi Coker.

Leadership And Policy: Driving Local Production

Professor Adeyeye’s leadership has been pivotal in reshaping Nigeria’s pharmaceutical landscape. Her “5‑by‑5” policy requires foreign manufacturers to partner with Nigerian firms or establish local plants within five years of product registration. This initiative has already increased domestic production to 50 per cent, up from 30 percent in previous years.  

The impact of this policy is evident in the strides made by companies such as Sam Pharmaceuticals, which are investing in local facilities and contributing to national self‑sufficiency in essential medicines.

International Recognition

L-R: Consul General of India, Mr. Kannan Chockalingam, PCN Register, pharmacist Ahmed Babasheu and the DG. of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Moji Adeyeye, commissioning of Sam Pharmaceutical Ltd, a new manufacturing facility in Lagos on Wednesday.

Under Professor Adeyeye’s stewardship, NAFDAC has achieved international recognition. In 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) awarded Nigeria Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status, confirming that the country’s regulatory system is stable, well‑functioning, and integrated.  

This achievement places Nigeria among only four African nations, alongside Tanzania, Ghana, and Egypt, with effective regulatory systems at this level. Globally, fewer than 30 percent of regulatory authorities reach ML3, underscoring the significance of Nigeria’s progress. The rating also positions NAFDAC to transition into the WHO Listed Authorities, a group recognised worldwide for meeting international standards.

Benchmarking Journey

Chairman of Sam Pharmaceutical Ltd, Mr. Amit Bhojuwani, the DG. NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Moji Adeyeye, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Ayodele, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Health Dr. Oluwatomi Coker, at the commissioning of Sam Pharmaceuticals, a new manufacturing facility in Lagos, on Wednesday.

Nigeria’s path to ML3 began in 2018 with the WHO Global Benchmarking Programme, which introduced rigorous self‑audits and adherence to international best practices. Following its first audit in 2019, NAFDAC worked consistently to strengthen systems. By February 2022, WHO re‑benchmarked the agency, confirming Nigeria’s attainment of ML3.  

This recognition enables Nigeria to manufacture vaccines and strengthens its credibility in the global pharmaceutical sector. It also reassures citizens that medicines produced locally meet stringent safety and efficacy standards.

The 5+5 Policy

The “5+5” policy introduced by Professor Adeyeye is central to Nigeria’s pharmaceutical reforms. At the point of first product registration, companies are informed that foreign manufacturers must either form partnerships with Nigerian firms or establish local plants for finished pharmaceutical products, active pharmaceutical ingredients, packaging materials, and more.  

Licences are valid for five years. By the fourth year, companies must submit blueprints of proposed partnerships or local plants. Renewal depends on verifiable progress. By year seven, if no migration to local production has occurred, companies face de‑registration alerts.  

For products already renewed multiple times, immediate blueprints are required. Where a manufacturer has several products, a plan for at least one is acceptable. This framework ensures a gradual but firm transition from import dependency to local manufacturing.

Human Impact

Beyond policy and regulation, the reforms carry a human dimension. Local production reduces import costs, making medicines more affordable. It also ensures greater availability of life‑saving drugs, particularly in rural areas where shortages have been common.  

For families managing chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, the promise of reliable supplies is significant. The commissioning of Sam Pharmaceuticals’ plant reflects this broader national effort, promising improved healthcare outcomes for millions.

 Commendations

L-R: Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, DG. of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Moji Adeyeye and the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Ayodele inside the new facility.

At the Lagos event, Professor Adeyeye was repeatedly commended for her tireless work. Industry representatives noted that her vision has inspired new investment and positioned Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s healthcare sector. Her legacy, they said, will be measured not only in policies but in lives saved and futures secured.  

The ceremony also highlighted the importance of collaboration between regulators, manufacturers, and international partners. By aligning national policies with global standards, Nigeria is building a pharmaceutical industry capable of competing internationally while serving local needs.

Looking Forward

With more local manufacturers emerging, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector is poised for further expansion. The combination of regulatory strength, policy enforcement, and industry investment suggests a future where the country can produce not only essential medicines but also vaccines and advanced therapies.  

For Professor Adeyeye, the journey continues. Her focus remains on strengthening systems, enforcing standards, and ensuring that Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry serves its people first. For Nigerians, the promise is clear: better access, safer medicines, and a healthcare system increasingly anchored in local innovation.