NATIONAL AGENCY FOR FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL ACT
Act · Health
An Act establishes the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to regulate the registration and quality of food, drugs, and cosmetics in Nigeria. It targets manufacturers, importers, distributors, and consumers of these products. This ensures protection from substandard and harmful items.
NATIONAL AGENCY FOR FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL ACT
What Is This Policy?
An Act establishing NAFDAC as the federal regulatory body for the registration, control, and quality assurance of food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, chemicals, and packaged water in Nigeria.
Who Does It Target?
Food and drug manufacturers and importers Pharmaceutical companies and distributors Healthcare providers using regulated products Consumers of food, drugs, and cosmetics
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Protect Nigerian consumers from substandard, falsified, and adulterated food and drug products by establishing a rigorous registration, inspection, and enforcement regime.
Key Features
Product Registration: All regulated products must be registered with NAFDAC before sale or distribution in Nigeria. Market Surveillance: NAFDAC conducts nationwide inspections and market surveillance to detect fake and substandard products. Laboratory Testing: Products are tested in NAFDAC-accredited laboratories for compliance with standards. Enforcement: NAFDAC has powers to seize, destroy, and prosecute dealers of substandard products.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active — NAFDAC is operational nationwide Coverage: All food, drug, and regulated product markets in Nigeria Beneficiaries: All Nigerian consumers; pharmaceutical industry Funding: Registration fees; Federal Government
How to Access
Manufacturers must obtain NAFDAC registration number before product launch Import must be preceded by NAFDAC import permit Display NAFDAC registration number on all regulated products Application method: Apply for registration at https://www.nafdac.gov.ng
Important Terms
Selling unregistered food or drug products is a criminal offence NAFDAC registration numbers must be genuine — counterfeiting them attracts prosecution Products found substandard are recalled and the manufacturer prosecuted
Impact & Metrics
NAFDAC's enforcement has significantly reduced the prevalence of counterfeit drugs in Nigerian markets from historically high levels.
Official Resources
Website: https://www.nafdac.gov.ng Contact: National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
Legal Framework
Enacted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution. Operates as the enabling legislation for NAFDAC, granting it powers to regulate food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and packaging materials. Works alongside the Food and Drugs Act Cap F32, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act 2015, and relevant Codex Alimentarius standards.