• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      EFCC Arraigns Ex-Convict, Other for Naira Abuse in Lagos

      EFCC Arrests 37 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ilorin

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Nigeria Customs, ICPC and the Audit of Conscience

      Customs Diplomacy: Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Ink Mutual Assistance Deal

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Nigeria, Belarus Forge Alliance to Combat Smuggling, Facilitate Trade

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and CG Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      Tinubu Hails Customs Boss Wale Adeniyi on Historic Election as WCO…

      WTO Lauds Nigeria Customs for Embracing Global Trade Standards

  • National
    • Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada

      Customs Debunks Fake CBT Recruitment Shortlist Circulating Online

      NDLEA Logo

      NDLEA Intercepts UK, Saudi-Bond Cocaine Hidden in Lipsticks in Lagos, Arrests…

      Troops of the Nigerian Army giving a salute

      162nd Anniversary: Tinubu Salutes Nigerian Army, Hails Troops as Guardians of…

      MUSWEN Muslim Ummah of South West

      MUSWEN Renews Call for Shariah Courts to Regulate Affairs of Muslims

      Ribadu Proposes Reintegration of Military Veterans to Bolster National Security

    • Government
      • MUSWEN Muslim Ummah of South West

        MUSWEN Renews Call for Shariah Courts to Regulate Affairs of Muslims

        Corporate Affairs Commission

        CAC Unveils AI-Powered Registration Portal to Revolutionize Business Registration in Nigeria

        Employment: ICPC Secures Conviction of FAAN Staff

        Staff of PRNigeria with federal lawmakers

        Federal Lawmakers Endorse PRNigeria Fellowship, Pledge Support for Youth Empowerment

        G7 Countries

        Iran Must Never Possess Nuclear Weapons – G7 Declare

  • Security
    • Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada

      Customs Debunks Fake CBT Recruitment Shortlist Circulating Online

      NDLEA Logo

      NDLEA Intercepts UK, Saudi-Bond Cocaine Hidden in Lipsticks in Lagos, Arrests…

      Retired AIG Liman Shettima

      IGP Egbetokun Mourns Retired AIG Liman Shettima

      NAF

      NAF Hosts Nationwide Parley to Honour Veterans’ Courage, Sacrifice

      NIPSS Directing Staff behind the Queries Barrister Nima Salman Mann and Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha

      Cybercrime Allegation: PRNigeria Petitions Police Against NIPSS Officials

  • Features
    • From SDP to ADA to ADC: Can the New Opposition Coalition…

      Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR

      Adeniyi: Lifting Nigeria to the Pinnacle of Global Customs Authority

      Nigeria’s Growth Numbers Tell Only Half the Story By Umar Farouk…

      NYSC Corps Members in Camp

      The Burden Too Many Nigerian Youths Bear Alone

      Combating Deepfake Videos: A Fight for Nigeria’s Soul By Mukhtar Ya’u…

  • State
    • NDLEA Logo

      NDLEA Intercepts UK, Saudi-Bond Cocaine Hidden in Lipsticks in Lagos, Arrests…

      MUSWEN Muslim Ummah of South West

      MUSWEN Renews Call for Shariah Courts to Regulate Affairs of Muslims

      Police Officer

      Police Foil Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Rescue Victims as Traditional Leader…

      Customs Hands Over N172m Worth of Cannabis to NDLEA in Ogun,…

      Combating Deepfake Videos: A Fight for Nigeria’s Soul By Mukhtar Ya’u…

  • Event
    • Troops of the Nigerian Army giving a salute

      162nd Anniversary: Tinubu Salutes Nigerian Army, Hails Troops as Guardians of…

      President & Chairman of Governing Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku

      NIPR Lauds Nigerian PR Firms for Outstanding Performances at 2025 SABRE…

      SCN NGO signs partnership with PRNIGERIA

      SCN NGO Seals Partnership with PRNigeria to Amplify its Humanitarian Projects

      NELFUND

      NELFUND Warns Students Against Fake Loan Application Portal

      EFCC Witness: Yahaya Bello Had No Property Dealings With EFAB

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features Customs, NAFDAC and the Public Health of Nigerians
  • Features
  • National

Customs, NAFDAC and the Public Health of Nigerians

By
Mahmud Abdulsalam
-
November 26, 2024
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

Customs, NAFDAC and the Public Health of Nigerians

By Abdulsalam Mahmud,

Wealth is not solely measured by the abundance of money; good health is equally a form of wealth, as the popular saying goes. To be healthy means living free of illness, disease, or medical challenges, a privilege that remains elusive for many Nigerians.

Unfortunately, this ideal is far from reality, especially in the face of worsening economic hardship. Widespread malnutrition and hunger, driven by skyrocketing food prices, have left countless citizens vulnerable to diseases. Tragically, some Nigerians are even losing their lives to hunger, while others battle illnesses that continue to strain families and communities.

The state of public health in Nigeria is alarming, with stark statistics painting a grim picture. Life expectancy stands at just 54 years, while 86 out of every 1,000 infants do not live beyond their first year. Maternal health is equally dire, as 840 mothers per 100,000 live births succumb to preventable complications.

Communicable diseases remain pervasive, with malaria alone accounting for 27% of the global burden and tuberculosis affecting 323 per 100,000 people. Non-communicable diseases are no less deadly, causing over 550 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021.

Meanwhile, 43.6% of children suffer from stunting, a stark reflection of widespread malnutrition. Environmental and lifestyle factors further compound these challenges. Mortality from air pollution stands at 99 per 100,000, while tobacco use and alcohol consumption—at 17.4% and 9.1%, respectively—worsen health outcomes.

Despite these daunting realities, health expenditure remains critically low at just 3.03% of GDP, signaling the urgent need for robust investment in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

A significant boost to Nigeria’s public health advocacy, amidst the aforementioned challenges, however, came on November 14, 2024, when the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) formalized their partnership by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Unveiled at the 2024 Comptroller General of Customs Annual Conference in Abuja, the partnership is focused on curbing the influx of harmful and unregulated products into the country.

Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the agreement as the culmination of years of dedicated dialogue and coordination between the two agencies. He highlighted the critical mandate of the Customs Service in safeguarding national security, public health, and safety.

He stated, “What we have seen today is a culmination of efforts for several months—I must say, years—of regular consultation between the two of us. This partnership is a response to a major scourge we are facing in the country.”

Emphasizing the specific provisions of the MoU, Adeniyi noted that Article 2 of the document outlined a comprehensive scope of collaboration, particularly in intelligence sharing, adding, “We’ll be talking about the exchange of intelligence between our agencies.”

CGC Adeniyi further said, sometimes, at midnight, NAFDAC DG sends intelligence to me, saying, “We learn that a suspicious container may be birthing in the morning. This kind of real-time information flow is critical to our joint efforts.”

Reflecting on the collaborative bond that has grown between NAFDAC and Customs personnel, CGC Adeniyi emphasized the hands-on commitment shown by officers at the nation’s ports and border stations.

Read Also:

  • Customs Debunks Fake CBT Recruitment Shortlist Circulating Online
  • NDLEA Intercepts UK, Saudi-Bond Cocaine Hidden in Lipsticks in Lagos, Arrests Other Suspects
  • From SDP to ADA to ADC: Can the New Opposition Coalition Unseat Tinubu in 2027?

He said, “When we declared a state of emergency in one of our ports, we were misunderstood, but the reports we have received indicate we are just scratching the surface of illicit pharmaceutical products entering our markets. It is time for all of us to say, collectively, that this will be the beginning of the end. We are going to save Nigeria and the future of our kids from these dangerous products.”

Speaking earlier, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Moji Adeyeye, described the signing of the MoU as a “significant stride,” pointing out the daily impact of the products regulated by her agency on Nigerians.

She said, “It is important because of you and me,” Adeyeye explained. “We consume at least two of our regulated products every day—food and healthcare items. This partnership is about ensuring that the food, drugs, and healthcare products we take are safe and of the highest quality.”

Professor Adeyeye highlighted the threats posed by unregulated and illicit products to national security, as some approved chemicals can be misused by criminals and terrorists, adding, “This is of national significance.” She lamented, “We have ghost companies that are not on our lists. This MoU marks the beginning of the end of such practices.”

Professor Moji further expressed gratitude for the close partnership with Customs officers, affirming that the initiative transcends individuals and agencies. She stressed that, “It’s not about NAFDAC; it’s not about Adeyeye or Adeniyi. It’s about saving the future of our country.”

Indeed, the MoU signed by Nigeria Customs and NAFDAC represents a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to safeguard public health. By formalizing this partnership, both agencies have committed to curbing the influx of harmful and unregulated products into the country, thus protecting the well-being of Nigerians and laying a solid foundation for a healthier future.

This collaboration is not merely an administrative move, but a strategic alliance aimed at combating the pervasive issues of illicit pharmaceutical products and unregulated goods that threaten national security and public health. The MoU also serves as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility of government agencies, stakeholders, and the private sector to invest in the nation’s public health.

Intelligence sharing, joint operations, and rigorous inspections at ports and border stations are just some of the steps being taken to root out dangerous products. NAFDAC’s mandate to regulate food, drugs, and healthcare items ensures that every Nigerian can access safe and quality-controlled products, while the Customs Service’s role in securing borders and monitoring imports is crucial in preventing the entry of harmful substances.

This partnership will not only enhance public health but will also build resilience against future threats, providing Nigerians with the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. As the MoU takes effect, it symbolizes a renewed commitment to the public health of Nigerians.

The partnership between NCS and NAFDAC is a call to action for all stakeholders to come together, combining expertise, resources, and dedication to build a healthier nation. By focusing on prevention, regulation, and enforcement, both agencies are poised to save lives, reduce the burden of disease, and promote a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right for every Nigerian.

This collaboration is a step forward in ensuring that public health becomes an integral and sustainable part of national development, while helping to build a brighter, healthier future for all. Coming Together for the public health of Nigerians is no longer an option; it is a necessity.

Mahmud, Deputy Editor of PRNigeria, can be reached via: [email protected]

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • NAFDAC
  • NCS
  • Nigeria
  • Nigeria Customs Service
  • Public Health
Previous articleIn Ogun, Customs seize N556m contraband
Next articleNELFUND disburses N256m loans to 3,100 Bauchi varsity students
Mahmud Abdulsalam
Mahmud Abdulsalam

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada

Customs Debunks Fake CBT Recruitment Shortlist Circulating Online

NDLEA Logo

NDLEA Intercepts UK, Saudi-Bond Cocaine Hidden in Lipsticks in Lagos, Arrests Other Suspects

From SDP to ADA to ADC: Can the New Opposition Coalition Unseat Tinubu in 2027?

NIPSS Directing Staff behind the Queries Barrister Nima Salman Mann and Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha

Cybercrime Allegation: PRNigeria Petitions Police Against NIPSS Officials

‎FACT-CHECK: Was a Man Trapped in Ceiling after Trying to Hack FCMB Bank?

FACT-CHECK: Did a Man Catch His Wife and Driver “Knacking” in a Hotel Room?

Troops of the Nigerian Army giving a salute

162nd Anniversary: Tinubu Salutes Nigerian Army, Hails Troops as Guardians of National Unity

Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR

Adeniyi: Lifting Nigeria to the Pinnacle of Global Customs Authority

MUSWEN Muslim Ummah of South West

MUSWEN Renews Call for Shariah Courts to Regulate Affairs of Muslims

Ribadu Proposes Reintegration of Military Veterans to Bolster National Security

DICON signs MoU with Saudi firm

DICON, Saudi firm sign MoU to produce security drones, satellites in Nigeria

Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya

Ex-COAS Urges Reforms in Recruitment, Training of Army, Harps on Prioritisation of Troops’ Welfare

Recent Posts

  • Customs Debunks Fake CBT Recruitment Shortlist Circulating Online
  • NDLEA Intercepts UK, Saudi-Bond Cocaine Hidden in Lipsticks in Lagos, Arrests Other Suspects
  • From SDP to ADA to ADC: Can the New Opposition Coalition Unseat Tinubu in 2027?
  • IGP Egbetokun Mourns Retired AIG Liman Shettima
  • NAF Hosts Nationwide Parley to Honour Veterans’ Courage, Sacrifice
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Customs Debunks Fake CBT Recruitment Shortlist Circulating OnlineNDLEA Intercepts UK, Saudi-Bond Cocaine Hidden in Lipsticks in Lagos, Arrests Other SuspectsFrom SDP to ADA to ADC: Can the New Opposition Coalition Unseat Tinubu in 2027?IGP Egbetokun Mourns Retired AIG Liman ShettimaNAF Hosts Nationwide Parley to Honour Veterans’ Courage, SacrificeCybercrime Allegation: PRNigeria Petitions Police Against NIPSS Officials‎FACT-CHECK: Was a Man Trapped in Ceiling after Trying to Hack FCMB Bank?FACT-CHECK: Did a Man Catch His Wife and Driver “Knacking” in a Hotel Room?162nd Anniversary: Tinubu Salutes Nigerian Army, Hails Troops as Guardians of National UnityAdeniyi: Lifting Nigeria to the Pinnacle of Global Customs AuthorityMUSWEN Renews Call for Shariah Courts to Regulate Affairs of MuslimsPolice Foil Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Rescue Victims as Traditional Leader AbductedRibadu Proposes Reintegration of Military Veterans to Bolster National SecurityDICON, Saudi firm sign MoU to produce security drones, satellites in NigeriaEx-COAS Urges Reforms in Recruitment, Training of Army, Harps on Prioritisation of Troops’ Welfare
X whatsapp