By Nkechi Eze
The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria, His Excellency Miah Md. Kabir, paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, to explore avenues for strategic collaboration in pharmaceutical development.
The visit centered on expanding trade, fostering technological exchange, and strengthening the security of drugs and vaccines in both nations. Speaking during the meeting, the High Commissioner highlighted Bangladesh’s population of over 180 million people and expressed readiness to partner with NAFDAC in advancing the pharmaceutical sector, promoting trade, and attracting investment between the two countries. He emphasized Nigeria’s strategic importance as a key partner in realizing these opportunities.
In her response, Prof. Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring the availability of safe, high-quality, and efficacious medicines in Nigeria. She noted that the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, with over 200 pharmaceutical companies attaining international standards under her leadership. She highlighted that NAFDAC’s stringent regulatory framework, continuous post-market surveillance, and enforcement measures have ensured substandard products are swiftly removed from circulation.
Prof. Adeyeye also drew attention to NAFDAC’s attainment of the World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 status, which has enhanced investor confidence and attracted international partnerships. She encouraged the High Commissioner to support Bangladeshi investors to establish pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Nigeria, particularly in vaccine production, leveraging the country’s large population and expanding market potential.
The Director-General further showcased NAFDAC’s state-of-the-art vaccines and biologics laboratory in Lagos, one of the few of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, underlining Nigeria’s readiness to support advanced pharmaceutical production and international collaborations.
The meeting concluded on a note of mutual commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation, enhancing pharmaceutical capacity, and exploring joint ventures that will benefit both nations’ healthcare and economic sectors.
