NAFDAC Boss Calls for More Staff to Address Shortage

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), lamented the agency's severe manpower shortage during an interview on Channels Television.

NAFDAC currently employs about 2,000 workers to regulate products for over 240 million Nigerians, a stark contrast to Indonesia, which has approximately 20,000 regulatory staff for its 280 million population. Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC is not asking for the same workforce as Indonesia but requires at least 5,000 additional personnel to enhance its operations across the country.

She emphasized that the current staffing levels stretch the agency's capacity, limiting its ability to be present nationwide. Adeyeye also called for improved funding for the Federal Task Force, established to support NAFDAC's enforcement activities, which has not received financial backing since its creation in 2004.

She expressed optimism that the Federal Government would provide the necessary support following discussions with the Minister of Finance.