NAFDAC Urges Niger Stakeholders to Register MSMEs

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged stakeholders in Niger State to use the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Registration Scheme. Kenneth Azikwe, North Central Zone Director of NAFDAC, made the appeal at a stakeholders’ meeting in Minna, highlighting the scheme’s benefits for low‑risk food products. He explained that the MSME Registration Scheme enables businesses to register their products with minimal facilities while still meeting safety standards.

Azikwe also encouraged stakeholders to report adverse drug reactions through the Net Safety App, a platform that allows users to flag concerns about drugs and other regulated products. Prompt reporting, he said, would facilitate investigations and actions such as withdrawing harmful products from the market. In addition, he promoted the Green Book app, a database of registered products, to help stakeholders verify the authenticity of drugs and other regulated items. He appealed to those in the agro‑chemical and chemical sectors to obtain the necessary licenses and certifications, which would enable NAFDAC to control the use of chemicals more effectively.

The meeting, attended by a diverse group of stakeholders—including the Agro‑Chemical Association, the Industrial Pharmacy Section of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and the Supermarket Owners Association—aimed to foster open dialogue and collaboration. State Coordinator James Kigbu thanked participants for their involvement, emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance, safety, and responsible business practices. Stakeholders praised NAFDAC for organizing the meeting but asked for a review of registration fees, which they considered too high.

Other attendees included representatives from the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Islamic Medicine and Prophetic Medicine Association, and the National Association of Environmental Health Officers of Nigeria. The MSME Registration Scheme and ongoing stakeholder engagement are part of NAFDAC’s effort to promote regulatory compliance and ensure the safety of food and drug products in Nigeria. By encouraging businesses to register their products and report adverse reactions, NAFDAC aims to protect public health and support the growth of the MSME sector. Continued dialogue with stakeholders is expected to lead to refined policies and procedures that address concerns and foster a safer, more compliant business environment.