The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has committed to providing support to Nano Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (NMSMEs) to foster economic growth in the country.
This pledge was made by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, during a meeting in Lagos, as stated by Mr. Olusayo Akintola, NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, in a statement released on Tuesday.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized that NAFDAC will actively promote collaboration and understanding between NMSMEs and the regulatory authority to empower these enterprises in their business endeavors.
Adeyeye further affirmed NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to addressing the needs and aspirations of the business community.
She highlighted the significance of subjecting products and services to regulatory scrutiny, stressing that the benefits and impact of such measures were crucial for the overall growth and success of businesses.
The Director-General emphasized that regulatory scrutiny was aimed at safeguarding businesses and their operating environment.
Adeyeye reiterated that NAFDAC’s regulatory efforts were geared towards ensuring that businesses operate in compliance with established standards and guidelines, which in turn would create a conducive and secure environment for their growth and sustainability.
NAFDAC’s commitment to supporting NMSMEs was rooted in its mission to promote responsible business practices and protect the interests of businesses in Nigeria.
I see myself in you when I look at you, because I grew up trading with my mother and grandmother, selling goods. I know firsthand the challenges of saving up money and engaging in trade,” she expressed.
She further highlighted that NMSMEs have the potential to drive Nigeria’s economy, citing the example of Nigeria’s past recession where despite the odds and challenges faced by the mega industry, the country was able to recover.
She posed a rhetorical question, asking how Nigeria was able to overcome the recession quickly, and then pointed out that the NMSMEs subsector played a significant role in sustaining the economy during that challenging period.
She attributed this success to the agency’s mandate on regulating food, packaged water, cosmetics, and other sectors, which enabled NMSMEs to flourish and contribute to the country’s economic resilience.
Adeyeye emphasized that NAFDAC had three of its mandates directly related to NMSMEs, in addition to chemical and herbal regulations. She reiterated that NAFDAC was committed to taking the matter of NMSMEs seriously.
She urged NMSMEs operators to focus on developing a single product that is well accepted by consumers, rather than manufacturing multiple products simultaneously that may not gain acceptance in the market.
The NAFDAC Director-General advised NMSMEs operators to have big dreams and aspire to enter the global market with their products. She emphasized that commercial opportunities and benefits abound for products that undergo regulatory scrutiny.
Adeyeye further highlighted that one such opportunity is the potential for exporting their goods, noting that exportation is closely tied to product quality. She encouraged NMSMEs operators to strive for high-quality standards in their products, as this would enhance their chances of accessing global markets and reaping the associated benefits.
Adeyeye highlighted that NAFDAC was committed to working closely with NMSMEs to elevate their trading activities to a higher level, emphasizing that NMSMEs should not only focus on domestic consumption but also consider the potential for exportation.
She further revealed that NAFDAC was already engaged in discussions with the UK Department of Business and Trade to establish bilateral relations that would ensure Nigerian products exported to the UK meet high-quality standards and are registered with NAFDAC.
Adeyeye expressed concern over the issue of rejected food exports from Nigeria due to poor quality at the point of entry in foreign markets.
She pointed out that if such food items had undergone NAFDAC scrutiny, the incidence of rejection could have been prevented.
Adeyeye emphasized the need to think about the future and the potential markets for Nigerian products, noting that Nigerians abroad were concerned about the quality and safety of food products being exported from Nigeria.
NAFDAC’s collaboration with foreign trade partners aimed to ensure that Nigerian products meet international standards and gain acceptance in global markets.
Adeyeye emphasized that there were ample opportunities for NMSMEs to tap into the local market, citing popular food products like eba (cassava flour), pounded yam, amala (yam flour), and palm oil as examples. She highlighted the importance of NAFDAC’s role in testing and ensuring the safety of food and other products before they are released to the public.
The director-general reiterated NAFDAC’s commitment to providing continued support to NMSMEs, stating that agency staff were being trained to uphold quality management systems and not to compromise on safety.
She further assured business owners who wished to enter the marketplace with NAFDAC-regulated products of maximum support, including necessary guidance and assistance from the agency.
Adeyeye concluded by expressing NAFDAC’s dedication to fostering collaboration and understanding between NMSMEs and the regulatory authority, with the ultimate goal of empowering NMSMEs and contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s economy.