NAFDAC DG: I returned from US to remove Nigeria’s shame

…‘I retired happily, came here to serve’

ABUJA — DIRECTOR-GENERAL of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has hit back at calls for her resignation, saying she returned to Nigeria after 34 years in the United States because she was “ashamed” of the country and wanted to help restore its image.

Adeyeye, who spoke during an engagement with journalists on Monday, said she had no regrets about leaving behind a successful career in the US to serve in Nigeria.

The NAFDAC boss, who spent about 30 years as a professor in the US before retiring, said her decision to head the agency was motivated by service rather than personal gain.

“I lived in the US for 34 years. I was a professor for 30 years in an all-white school. I retired happily. I came here to serve, but some Nigerians have an aversion to service.

“It is for what can I get! We have rendered Nigeria useless because of ‘what can I get?’ We have rendered Nigeria useless because of ‘what is in it for my pocket?’” she said.

Adeyeye, who has spent nine years as NAFDAC Director-General, also challenged anyone alleging that she demanded money from contractors to come forward with evidence.

“Any contractor that I have demanded money from should come here and tell me! I came here for service. I retired happily. I was ashamed of my country! I came to remove some of the shame. And the world is seeing it! The world is seeing it!” she said.

She recalled that NAFDAC was facing serious financial and operational challenges when she assumed office, including about N3.2 billion in outstanding liabilities and non-functional laboratory equipment.

According to her, between 70 and 80 per cent of the agency’s laboratory equipment was not working at the time, while its information and communications technology infrastructure was also in poor condition.

She said NAFDAC’s directors did not have laptops purchased by the agency as of 2017.

Adeyeye said clearing the inherited liabilities was one of her immediate priorities, adding that about N3.1 billion had been paid by November 2018.

She also cited improvements in the agency’s regulatory standing, saying NAFDAC moved from maturity level one to level three by March 2022, becoming the third agency in Africa to attain the level.

She added that NAFDAC became an affiliate member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum in 2023 and joined the International Council for Harmonisation in 2025.

“Countries now respect us. Regulatory agencies respect us. My first two years, I was going round doing image making, rebuilding our bad image. They were calling NAFDAC ‘good for nothing agency’. This is my 9th year,” she said.

On the persistent calls for her resignation, Adeyeye gave a pointed response.

“So that question; ‘when are you going to resign’ — I hope you got the answer?” she asked.

The controversy surrounding NAFDAC has intensified amid concerns over counterfeit and substandard medicines, food, beverages and cosmetics in the Nigerian market.

The agency has also faced opposition from some manufacturers and civil society groups over enforcement of its ban on sachet alcohol and small polyethylene terephthalate, PET, bottles below 200ml.

Critics have argued that the policy could affect jobs and investment in the sector, while NAFDAC has maintained that its regulatory measures are primarily aimed at protecting public health.

Adeyeye also pointed to the agency’s enforcement activities, including the destruction of counterfeit products valued at more than N1.5 trillion over the past three years.