NAFDAC DG: I Returned To Nigeria To Serve, Not Enrich Myself

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Moji Adeyeye, has said she returned to Nigeria after decades in the United States to serve the country and restore the agency’s reputation, rather than enrich herself.

Adeyeye stated this on Monday while responding to a journalist who asked when she would resign from office. The question drew laughter before she used the opportunity to recount the challenges she inherited and what she described as the agency’s transformation under her leadership.

She said NAFDAC was burdened with N3.2 billion in debt when she assumed office in 2017, including N1.6 billion in taxes and about N700 million owed to staff who travelled for Good Manufacturing Practice inspections.

According to her, between 70 and 80 per cent of the agency’s equipment was also not functioning.

Adeyeye said her administration prioritised settling the debts and rebuilding NAFDAC’s regulatory capacity, adding that N3.1 billion was paid by November 2018.

She further said the agency progressed from maturity level one to level three in March 2022, becoming the third regulatory agency in Africa to attain the status.

Reflecting on her motivation, Adeyeye said she had lived in the US for 37 years and retired happily before returning to Nigeria.

“I came here to serve,” she said, criticising what she described as a culture of seeking personal gain from public service.

She also challenged any contractor who had allegedly been asked by her for money to come forward and publicly make the accusation.

On the question of her resignation, Adeyeye said her record should provide the answer.

“So, that question—‘When are you going to resign?’—I hope you got the answer,” she said.