Posted on: Wed 13-08-2025

Nigeria Just Beat Egypt and South Africa in Global Drug Safety — Here’s What It Means for You!”

August 12, 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria: In a major win for Nigeria’s healthcare system, the country has officially retained its World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status for the regulation of medicines and vaccines — placing it ahead of regional heavyweights like Egypt, South Africa, Rwanda, and Ghana.

The announcement was made during a virtual press conference by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) Director-General, Prof. Ibrahim Ahmed. WHO confirmed the achievement on June 30, 2025, following a rigorous re-benchmarking audit and five follow-up development meetings.

What ML3 Means for Nigeria:

• Nigeria now operates a stable, well-functioning, and integrated regulatory system for medicines and vaccines.
• It positions the country to manufacture vaccines locally and trade approved products globally.
• It boosts public confidence, supports universal health coverage, and strengthens the economy through job creation.

“This is great news for Nigeria’s public health, the economy, and our global standing,” said Prof. Adeyeye.

What’s Next?

Nigeria is now on track to achieve Maturity Level 4 (ML4) — a key milestone toward becoming a WHO-Listed Authority (WLA). Out of 57 indicators required for ML4, 27 have already been closed, with 30 remaining.

This achievement not only validates Nigeria’s regulatory excellence but also opens doors for international partnerships, research collaborations, and local pharmaceutical innovation.

MedicalWorld Nigeria celebrates this milestone as a testament to the country’s growing leadership in global health regulation.

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