NAFDAC Pushes MSME Registration in Niger

The North Central Zonal Director of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Kenneth Azikwe, has urged business operators in Niger State to take full advantage of the agency’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) registration scheme.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Minna, Azikwe explained that the scheme was designed to simplify the registration of low-risk food products using minimal facilities, while still guaranteeing consumer safety.

He also encouraged participants to make use of digital tools provided by the agency, such as the Net Safety App, for reporting adverse drug reactions. “Don’t keep quiet. If you encounter a bad product, report it on the app. Our officers monitor complaints in real time and will investigate immediately, ensuring unsafe products are withdrawn,” he said.

Azikwe further highlighted the importance of the Green Book App, which contains a database of registered products, noting that it can help businesses and consumers verify the authenticity of drugs and other regulated goods.

In addition, he appealed to operators in the agrochemical and chemical industries to secure proper licences and certifications so NAFDAC can effectively regulate the use of chemicals.

Earlier, State Coordinator James Kigbu praised the turnout at the meeting, stressing that it would strengthen collaboration between regulators and industry players to promote compliance, consumer safety, and responsible business practices.

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The session drew representatives from a wide range of groups, including the Agro-Chemical Association, the Industrial Pharmacy Section of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the Supermarket Owners Association, the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), the Islamic Medicine and Prophetic Medicine Association, and the National Association of Environmental Health Officers of Nigeria.

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While commending NAFDAC for engaging them directly, stakeholders also appealed for a downward review of registration fees, which they described as burdensome for small businesses.