General News
NAFDAC Announces WHO Prequalification of Locally Made Syringe
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), says a 0.5ml Auto Disable Syringe produced by Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Ltd, has achieved World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos, describing it as a significant milestone for Nigeria and the West and Central Africa region.
According to Adeyeye, Afrimedical, located in Ogun, is the first indigenous syringe manufacturer in Nigeria—and the entire West and Central Africa—to receive WHO prequalification for its syringes.
She noted that the achievement followed a rigorous process, substantial investment, and technical support and guidance provided by NAFDAC.
“This milestone aligns with the agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to promote local production of medical products,” she said.
“It is with great joy that I announce that, after a rigorous process, the WHO has prequalified Afrimedical’s 0.5ml AD Syringes.
“They are now eligible for national and international procurement by relevant agencies and organisations.”
Adeyeye added that Afrimedical was now the first manufacturer in West Africa to be recognised by WHO as operating at an acceptable level of compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
She emphasised that NAFDAC, in its drive to become a world-class regulator, embraced global best practices in all aspects of medical product regulation.
In 2023, only three out of seven indigenous syringe manufacturers in Nigeria were functional, collectively operating at less than 20 per cent of their combined installed capacity of 2.5 billion syringes per year, she revealed.
Adeyeye highlighted NAFDAC’s “5+5” policy, introduced in 2019, which restricted the importation of medicines and devices that could be produced locally.
“Products with five-year registration validity that can be manufactured in Nigeria will be granted one final five-year renewal, after which importation will no longer be allowed,” she explained.
Following NAFDAC’s attainment of WHO Maturity Level 3 in 2023, the agency began engaging international procurement bodies, such as UNICEF’s supply division in Copenhagen, to promote patronage of locally manufactured medical products, including syringes.
The Director-General urged other indigenous manufacturers to emulate Afrimedical’s achievement through collaboration and alignment with NAFDAC’s regulatory goals.
Also speaking at the event, Afrimedical General Manager, Mr Gabi Al-Aridi, described the WHO prequalification as a major milestone for the company, NAFDAC, and Nigeria as a whole.
Al-Aridi praised the federal government’s efforts to support local production and stated that “Afrimedical currently produces about 1.8 billion syringes annually.”
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to high-quality, locally made medical products and encouraged Nigerians to embrace them to help boost the nation’s economy.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), says a medical device, 0.5ml Auto Disable Syringe produced by Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Ltd, has achieved WHO Prequalification.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos on Wednesday.
Adeyeye said the company located in Ogun State is the first st local manufacturer of syringes in Nigeria and also in West and Central Africa region to achieve the laudable feat.
She said the company was able to achieve the feat after a thorough arduous process, heavy investment and technical support and guardians by NAFDAC.
The D-G noted that the feat also align with the agenda of the President Bola Tinubu led administration to support local production of medical products in the country.
“it is with great joy and delight that I have the privilege of informing our stakeholders and the public that, after a rigorous process and a lot of investment by Afrimedical, the WHO has prequalified 0.5ml AD Syringes.
“The syringes have now been added to the WHO list of prequalified syringes and are therefore eligible for national and international procurement by relevant agencies and organisations.
“This is undoubtedly the outcome of meaningful collaboration between the company and NAFDAC, and the systematic implementation of NAFDAC policies over the years.
“Afrimedical has become the first manufacturer of syringes to be recognised by the WHO as operating at an acceptable level of compliance with GMP requirements in West Africa,” he said.
Adeyeye said in line with NAFDAC vision to be a world class regulator that ensures only quality and safe regulated products are used in the country, the agency embraced global best practices in all its regulatory functions of medical products.
She added that only three out of the seven indigenous syringe manufacturer were functional in the country in 2023 and they have a combine installed capacity of over 2.5 billion syringes per annum, while functioning below 20 per cent capacity.
She said:”The Agency started laying a foundational policy in 2019 for local manufacturing of medicines such as 5+5 regulatory.
“This directive which ensures that products that were previously imported with five-year registration validity and that can be manufactured in Nigeria are given the last renewal of five years and thereafter prevented from being imported.
“In 2023, after the attainment of WHO Maturity Level 3, NAFDAC engaged UNICEF supply chain in Copenhagen and at a workshop in Lagos to patronize locally manufactured medical products including syringes.
The Director-General, however, encourage other well-meaning local manufacturers of medical products to emulate this feat through harmonization of collective aspiration and synergy of effort with NAFDAC’s relevant directorates.
Speaking also, the General Manager of Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited, Mr. Gabi Al-Aridi described the feat as a major milestone for the company, NAFDAC and Nigeria at large.
Al-Aridi, who commended the federal government for promoting local production of pharmaceutical products said the company producing about 1.8 billion syringes per annum.
He reiterated the company dedication to providing high-quality, locally manufactured syringes, while urging Nigerians to embraced locally made syringes to boost the nation’s economy.(NAN)
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze and sunshine from Monday until Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, envisaged moderate dust haze over parts of Kebbi and Kano States of the northern region on Monday.
It predicted horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km over the region with the rest of the northern States to be under sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
”For central region, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km is anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Niger states, while the rest of the states in the region should be under sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
”For southern region, sunny skies with a few patches of cloud are anticipated over the region with prospects of afternoon/evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Bayelsa, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States,” it said.
According to NiMet, a slight dust haze is anticipated over parts of Kano and Kebbi States of the northern region on Tuesday, while the remaining states in the region are expected to have sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
The agency envisaged sunny and hazy skies over the central region throughout the forecast period with chances of isolated thundery activity over parts of plateau state during the afternoon and evening hours.
It anticipated sunny skies with patches of cloud over the southern region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
NiMet forecasts sunny and hazy skies over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Wednesday.
The agency predicted sunny and hazy skies over the central region throughout the forecast period.
According to NiMet, sunny skies with a few patches of cloud are anticipated over the southern region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
”Dust particles are in suspension; the public should take necessary precaution; People with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather condition.
”Driving under the rain should be with caution. Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it said
The agency urged residents to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet, and visit its website on www.nimet.gov.ng.
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day.
It also announced Thursday, January 1, 2026, as a public holiday for the New Year celebration.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr.
Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.According to the statement, the minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility, and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security, and national development.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations and wished them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The Cross River State Government has recorded a major breakthrough in its quest to transform the state into a maritime hub with the official presentation of the Hydrographic, Geotechnical, geophysical Report and New Navigational Chart for the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport project.
Out, who spoke at a formal ceremony held in the State Executive Council Chamber in Calabar, described the event as a “historic milestone” that not only affirms Nigeria’s maritime boundaries but also sets the stage for an economic revolution across the Gulf of Guinea.
“This is truly a historic day, not just for Cross River State but for the entire country,” Governor Otu said.
“What we have achieved today replaces charts dating back to 1903 and settles long-standing debates about Cross River’s status as a littoral state. This chart clearly affirms our coastal status.”Otu emphasized that the updated maritime chart now aligns with S-100 international standards, positioning Cross River for deepwater commerce and international shipping operations.
“When we connect this with the ongoing coastal highway, we’re looking at a completely different city,” he said. “The economic potential is enormous.”
Otu acknowledged the foundational work of former NDDC Chairman Professor Eyo Etim Nyong, describing the seaport project as a dream revived and revitalized.
“We picked up this dream where the former governor, Professor Ben Ayade left off. Public funds had been committed, and we could not allow it to die. Today is another giant step toward its full realization,” he said.
With the technical phase complete and the report formally presented, Governor Otu disclosed that the project now awaits a final seal of approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“Once we get that FEC seal, work starts almost immediately,” he assured. “Cross River is ready, and this project is not just for us, it is for Nigeria and for West Africa.”
The presentation was led by Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode, Hydrographer of the Federation and CEO of the National Hydrographic Agency of Nigeria, alongside senior naval officers including the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Rear Admiral Anyo Olokunle.
Rear Admiral Olugbode described the report as the culmination of an intensive multi-year effort, beginning with a formal flag-off on December 21, 2024, and followed by rigorous data acquisition starting January 6, 2025. The survey, he said, covered hydrographic, geophysical, and geotechnical dimensions, all aimed at ensuring safety, precision, and international compliance.
“This is more than just a technical report. It is the bedrock for constructing and operating the Bakassi Deep Seaport,” he said. “It provides essential data for engineering design, dredging, breakwater construction, and navigation safety.”
He added that the data would boost investor confidence, enable effective ocean governance, and contribute to global initiatives such as Seabed 2030, a project that aims to map the entire seafloor of the world by 2030.
Olugbode also praised the Cross River State Government for its unwavering support.
“Your Excellency, your administration’s commitment and facilitation of logistics created an enabling environment for the success of this complex operation,” he noted.
The Bakassi Deep Seaport is expected to catalyze investments in shipping, logistics, trade and tourism, while creating jobs and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global blue economy.
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