Safeguarding the health of nigeria: challenges and suggestions for nafdac, 1992 – 2008

Between 1974, when the first food and drug decree was enacted, and 1994 when NAFDAC was established, no fake drug manufacturer or importer was prosecuted. Consequently, there was public outrage when no culprits were indicted over the death of 150 children in 1989 as a result of formulation error in a drug. It is interesting to note that this fight cannot be over unless various stakeholders come to collective agreement and working partnership that endures. The source of data for the study is primary and secondary and engages the historical method. The findings show that from April 2001, NAFDAC under a new management, led by Dora Nkem Akunyili engineered great transformation. Nigeria and the world could see the difference a well structured institution with good leadership can make within a very short period. This paper identifier the central position that the issue of food and drug is attracting globally and as well, highlights the numerous factors that account for the success of NAFDAC which can also be injected into the other sectors of the Nigerian Economy.