Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has criticised what she described as an “aversion” to public service among some Nigerians.
Adeyeye spoke on Monday at a press conference in Lagos while responding to calls for her removal over the circulation of counterfeit products in Nigeria.
Asked whether she would bow to pressure and resign, the NAFDAC boss said she returned to Nigeria after a 30-year teaching career in the United States because she wanted to serve the country.
“I lived in the U.S. for 37 years. I was a professor for 30 years in an all-white school. I retired happily. I came here to serve,” a visibly angry Adeyeye said.
“But Nigerians have aversion for service. Some Nigerians have aversion for service. It is for ‘what can I get from the country?’
“We have rendered Nigeria useless because of ‘what can I get?’ We have rendered Nigeria useless because of ‘what is it in it for my pocket?’”
Adeyeye also recalled challenges during 2022, the final year of her first term, alleging that some staff members were instigated to embark on a strike in an attempt to undermine the agency.
She further alleged that some individuals seeking to become NAFDAC director-general were working behind the scenes to fuel the unrest.
“It was a horrible year because people instigated, even our own staff, to start to go on strike from June of 2022 to November to paint the kettle black. The kettle has remained white,” she said.
“Because some people wanted to become DG of NAFDAC, they are instigating a lot behind the scenes.”
The NAFDAC boss said her tenure had focused on transforming the agency despite inheriting substantial financial and operational challenges.
According to Adeyeye, NAFDAC was at “minus maturity level one out of four” under the World Health Organisation’s regulatory assessment framework when she assumed office.
She said she inherited about N3.2 billion in debts, including N1.6 billion in unpaid taxes, about N700 million owed to staff who travelled for GNP and roughly N400 million owed to contractors.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC had paid about N3.1 billion of the debts by November 2018, adding that she halted further travels until outstanding obligations were addressed.
She also said between 70 and 80 per cent of the agency’s laboratory equipment was not functioning when she took over.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC subsequently improved its regulatory standing, attaining maturity level three in March 2022, which she described as the third such achievement in Africa.
She also cited the agency’s affiliate membership of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum in 2023 and membership of the International Council for Harmonisation in 2025 as evidence of its progress.
The NAFDAC director-general said she spent her first two years rebuilding the agency’s image after it had previously been described as a “good-for-nothing agency”.
She said her approach to public service differed from those who viewed government positions as opportunities for personal gain.
“I came here to serve. A contractor that I’ve demanded money from should come here and tell me.”
