The North Central Zone Director of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Kenneth Azikwe, has called on stakeholders in Niger State to take advantage of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME Registration Scheme.

Azikwe made the appeal during a stakeholder engagement meeting in Minna, explaining that the scheme allows for the registration of low-risk food products using minimal facilities while ensuring their safety.

He also urged stakeholders to report adverse drug reactions using the Net Safety App, saying: “Don’t keep quiet, report such products using your phone through the app. Once you complain, we have officers watching the app, and an investigation will be launched to withdraw the drug if it’s not good.”

Azikwe further encouraged stakeholders to download the Green Book app, a database of registered products, to verify the authenticity of drugs and other regulated items.

The NAFDAC director also appealed to stakeholders, particularly those in the agrochemical and chemical sectors, to obtain the necessary licences and certifications to enable the agency to control the use of chemicals.

Earlier, State Coordinator James Kigbu appreciated the diverse group of stakeholders for attending the meeting, which he said would foster open dialogue and collaboration to ensure regulatory compliance, safety, and responsible business practices.

The stakeholders, which included the Agro-Chemical Association, the Industrial Pharmacy Section of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and the Supermarket Owners Association, commended NAFDAC for convening the meeting. However, they appealed for a review of registration fees, which they claimed were on the high side.

Others represented at the meeting included 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.