By Bavoriat Dabo
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) aimed at enhancing collaboration in the areas of food safety, quality assurance, and technical capacity building.
The agreement, signed at NAFDAC Headquarters in Abuja, seeks to establish clear parameters for the efficient and timely processing of WFP requests for food disposal, while also strengthening technical assistance and training initiatives between the two organisations.
In a statement issued by NAFDAC’s Deputy Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Mr. Adegboyega Osiyemi, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, welcomed the WFP delegation led by its Deputy Country Director (Operations), Mr. Serigne Loum, and described the occasion as a significant step in the collective mission to safeguard public health.
“It is my distinct honour and pleasure to welcome you to our Agency and deepen our ongoing collaboration through the signing of this MoU,” Prof. Adeyeye said. “NAFDAC and the WFP have been working together on food safety and quality initiatives even before today’s formal agreement, and this MoU will further strengthen our shared commitment to saving lives through safe and nutritious food.”
She commended the WFP for its critical role in delivering life-saving food assistance during emergencies, and for using such interventions as pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for communities recovering from conflict, natural disasters, and climate-related challenges.
Reiterating NAFDAC’s statutory mandate to regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of food in Nigeria, Prof. Adeyeye assured that the Agency would continue to ensure that all food consumed in the country meets internationally recognised safety and quality standards.
“As NAFDAC, we commit to bringing in our strengths and fulfilling our obligations towards the successful implementation of this MoU. I am confident that both sides will complement each other by sharing knowledge, skills, and best practices for the sustainability of our food safety and quality systems,” she added.
The DG also expressed appreciation to the leadership of the WFP in Nigeria and at its headquarters for their dedication to deepening ties with NAFDAC.
In his remarks, Mr. Serigne Loum reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to promoting food security and combating malnutrition in Nigeria. He noted that the organisation began its operations in the country in 2016, initially focusing on providing life-saving food to communities in the North-East affected by insurgency. Over time, the scope has expanded to both the North-East and North-West, with about 90 percent of WFP’s procured and distributed food sourced locally.
“We have worked closely with NAFDAC over the years to ensure the food we distribute is safe, wholesome, and nutritious,” Loum said. “This MoU provides an opportunity to further strengthen that collaboration and explore innovative approaches to promoting the health and well-being of Nigerians.”
He thanked Prof. Adeyeye for her leadership and reaffirmed WFP’s readiness to deepen cooperation with NAFDAC in delivering on their shared mandate.
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