Nigeria has joined 33 other African countries in ratifying the treaty establishing the African Medicines Agency (AMA), strengthening efforts to harmonise medicines regulation and tackle substandard and falsified medical products across the continent.
The Federal Government deposited its instrument of ratification, becoming the 34th African Union member state to complete the process.
The African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Ambassador A. Twum-Amoah, announced the development during the inaugural African Medicines Agency Week in Kigali, Rwanda, which runs from October 25 to 30, 2026.
The event brought together representatives of medicines regulatory authorities, regional economic communities, the World Health Organisation, the European Union and international development partners.
Nigeria was represented by the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, alongside senior officials of the agency.
NAFDAC said Nigeria’s ratification was significant because of its population size and position as one of Africa’s largest pharmaceutical markets.
It said the move would strengthen cooperation between NAFDAC, the AMA and other regulatory institutions through information sharing, scientific collaboration and capacity development.
The agency added that the treaty would support efforts to improve access to safe, effective, quality-assured and affordable medicines, while promoting pharmaceutical innovation and local manufacturing.
The African Medicines Agency is expected to provide a coordinated continental framework for regulating medicines and other medical products, with the aim of improving public health and strengthening Africa’s pharmaceutical sector.
NAFDAC said the success of the agency would depend on sustained cooperation among member states and effective implementation of the treaty.
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