Paul Adunwoke, Health Correspondent
The Federal Republic of Nigeria, has finally deposited its instrument of ratification at the African Medicines Agency (AMA), treaty as the 34th Member state of the African Union (AU). This represents a historic milestone in the advancement of medicines regulation and public health across the African continent.
This was announced at the Inaugural African Medicines Agency (AMA) Week held in Kigali, Rwanda from Sunday 25th to Friday 30th of October, 2026 by the Her Excellency Commissioner of Health and Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the African Union, Amb A. Twum-Amoah.
The AMA week conference anchored by the Director General, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, the Governing Board, representative of the Confreence of State Parties and AU Special Envoy. It is being attended by medicine regulatory agencies across the continent, Regional Economic Communities representatives, important dignitaries within the global health ecosystem including World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Union development and international partners.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is represented by the Director General NAFDAC Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye and several senior Directors of the Agency. As Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest pharmaceutical markets, Nigeria’s participation strengthens the collective resolve of African countries to establish a more coordinated, effective and harmonised regulatory environment for medicines and other medical products.
Adeyeye said this important development reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding public health, combating substandard and falsified medical products, promoting pharmaceutical innovation, and advancing local manufacturing as a cornerstone of health security and economic development.
She noted it also provides an opportunity to deepen collaboration between Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the African Medicines Agency, and other national and regional regulatory institutions in pursuit of shared continental health objectives.
The DG, stressed Nigeria’s participation should now be translated into practical action through sustained institutional collaboration, regulatory capacity development, information sharing, scientific cooperation and the effective implementation of the AMA Treaty.
She said: “Ultimately, the success of the African Medicines Agency will be measured by its contribution to ensuring that every African has access to safe, effective, quality-assured and affordable medicines”.
Adeyeye said Nigeria’s ratification is therefore not merely a diplomatic or legal achievement; it is a significant investment in Africa’s health security, pharmaceutical sovereignty and sustainable development. “Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Long live African Medicines Agency”.
