The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, recently paid an official visit to the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojo Adeyeye, at her Abuja office. The purpose of the visit was to formally inaugurate a joint implementation committee tasked with enforcing the strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two agencies in 2024.

This significant milestone, which took place on Wednesday, July 9th, 2025, marks a crucial step toward translating the MoU into tangible action plans. Key representatives, including the Customs Service’s Legal Adviser, Mr. Smart Akande, and NAFDAC’s Olakunle Olaniyan, were present to underscore the institutional commitment behind this collaborative effort. The MoU, signed on November 14th, 2024, during the second day of the CGC’s Annual Conference in Abuja, aimed to strengthen joint efforts in tackling the influx of illicit pharmaceutical products and dangerous substances into the country.

During the visit, CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed the Customs Service’s unwavering dedication to this partnership, emphasising that establishing the implementation committee is vital to fulfilling the goals of the agreement. He highlighted that the committee’s formation will help turn the objectives of the MoU into actionable programs, including developing a joint work plan, coordinating communication and training initiatives, harmonising operational standards, monitoring progress, and addressing challenges with practical solutions.

“The constitution of this implementation committee is a critical stride, bringing us closer to realising the spirit and letter of our agreement,” Adeniyi stated. “Our shared goal is to protect Nigerians from harmful, unregulated substances, and this committee will serve as the engine driving that mission forward.”

He also expressed optimism that the committee’s efforts would yield measurable outcomes benefiting public health and national security. Furthermore, Adeniyi reassured that the MoU remains a legally binding document, governed by Nigerian law, and that its provisions are enforceable.

On her part, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojo Adeyeye expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far and reaffirmed her agency’s full commitment to implementing the MoU. She stressed that regulatory cooperation between NAFDAC and Customs is vital in the fight against fake, substandard, and harmful products. Adeyeye pledged her full support to the new committee, emphasising that the move from dialogue to action will strengthen national controls, improve operational collaboration, and safeguard the health of Nigerians.

The committee, which includes members from both agencies, is jointly chaired by Olakunle Olaniyan of NAFDAC and Smart Akande, the Director of Legal Services and Legal Adviser to Nigeria Customs. Other representatives from both agencies will also be part of this pivotal task force.

This collaboration signifies a decisive shift from discussion to concrete action, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens from dangerous and illicit substances while fostering a stronger partnership between key regulatory agencies.