Abuja – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced that AFRI Medical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited’s 0.5ml auto-disabled Nigerian company syringes are now pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is the first Nigerian company, and the first in West and Central Africa, to get this certification for syringes.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said this shows NAFDAC’s strategies to promote quality local medical product manufacturing are successful.
Process Leads to WHO Prequalified Nigerian Company Syringes
Prof. Adeyeye stated AFRI Medical achieved this through a tough process and large investment, with NAFDAC’s consistent support. “Today, their product is on the WHO list of pre-qualified medical devices,” Adeyeye said. This makes the Nigerian company syringes eligible for international purchase by groups like UNICEF. WHO pre-qualification allows AFRI Medical to export its syringes globally, improving Nigeria’s standing in the medical device market.
Boost for Local Manufacturing
This achievement supports the government’s industrialization plan and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy to boost the local economy via local production. Prof. Adeyeye urged local manufacturers to meet global standards, noting NAFDAC started policy groundwork in 2019.
AFRI Medical’s General Manager, Mr. Gabi Al-Aridi, called the WHO pre-qualification a “milestone achievement.” He said it lets the company supply quality Nigerian syringes internationally.
Reducing Import Reliance Noted
The WHO pre-qualification of AFRI Medical’s syringes helps reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported medical devices. It also boosts local manufacturing for global competition. Prof. Adeyeye encouraged other manufacturers to use NAFDAC’s support, stating, “We are open to working with any local manufacturer committed to compliance and excellence.”
By Kayode Ojo
