Nigeria joins global ICH elite as NAFDAC achieves full international regulatory Status

Nigeria has recorded a major milestone in global health regulation as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has secured full membership of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). The achievement positions Nigeria among the world’s most advanced national regulatory authorities and marks a transformative step for the country’s pharmaceutical sector.

The announcement was made during the ICH Assembly held in Singapore, where Nigeria was confirmed as the 24th out of only 25 national regulatory authorities (NRAs) globally recognised for their commitment to harmonised international pharmaceutical standards.

NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, described the development as a “historic breakthrough for Nigeria and the African continent,” noting that full membership would significantly boost the availability of high-quality, safe, and effective medicines for Nigerians.

READ ALSO:

• Supreme Court Strikes Out Osun Suit on Withheld Local Govt Allocations
• DSS Arrests Doctor Providing Medical Support to Bandits in Kwara State
• BREAKING: Rivers Assembly Speaker, 15 Members Defect From PDP to APC

She said:
“Full ICH membership means Nigerians will have better access to high-quality medicines. It confirms that our regulatory scientists can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world.”

Nigeria’s journey to full ICH status began in 2022 after the agency secured Observer status and later participated in the 2023 ICH meeting in Vancouver, Canada, where NAFDAC made a formal presentation as part of the evaluation process.

Over the last two years, NAFDAC underwent extensive capacity-building, including training on multiple ICH guidelines, membership in expert working groups, and the hosting of a major international workshop in Lagos in April 2025 on the ICH M13A Bioequivalence Guideline.

Adeyeye credited the agency’s success to a “methodical and structured approach,” supported by Northeastern University, Boston, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Singapore, H.E. Omayuli Francisca Kemi, praised NAFDAC for demonstrating “leadership, resilience, and expertise” in earning a place on the global regulatory stage.

Full ICH membership grants NAFDAC authority to contribute directly to the formulation of international pharmaceutical standards, while enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to regulate medicines, accelerate access to innovative therapies, and improve confidence in local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Adeyeye also acknowledged the Federal Government for extending her tenure, saying the continuity was crucial to achieving this milestone.

“We will continue to safeguard the health of the nation—now with the full strength of the ICH global community behind us,” she declared.

NAFDAC expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and its international partners for their support. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to full implementation of ICH standards, strengthening Nigeria’s regulatory system, and advancing pharmaceutical innovation and production.

Nigeria Joins Global ICH Elite as NAFDAC Achieves Full International Regulatory Status

WHO Issues First Global Guideline on GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity Treatment

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released its first-ever guideline on the use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies for treating obesity, a condition affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide.

Announcing the development on its official X handle on Tuesday, the global health body cautioned that medication alone cannot solve obesity, stressing that drugs must complement healthy diets, regular physical activity, and sustained medical support.

The WHO noted that obesity—responsible for 3.7 million global deaths in 2024—remains a growing crisis, with projections indicating the number of affected individuals could double by 2030 if urgent action is not taken.

According to the organisation, obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above in adults. It is a complex, chronic disease linked to major noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, several cancers, and increased complications from infectious diseases.

The new guideline focuses on GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medicines that lower blood sugar, promote weight loss, and reduce risks of heart and kidney complications. These drugs were added to the WHO Essential Medicines List in September 2025 for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk patients.

READ ALSO:

• Nigerian Army Rescues Six Kidnap Victims in Kogi as Troops Intensify Operations Against Bandits
• Adeleke to Join New Party Before December 13 — Osun Govt
• BREAKING: Adebayo Adedamola Wins PDP Ticket for 2026 Osun Governorship Election

WHO explained that its conditional recommendations for GLP-1 therapies aim to support adults living with obesity as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, emphasizing the need for behavioral interventions such as healthy eating and consistent physical activity.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said obesity remains a worldwide health threat requiring sustained and equitable care.
“Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care. While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce related harms,” he said.

Ghebreyesus also warned that the global economic cost of obesity could reach US$3 trillion annually by 2030, adding that the guideline aims to reduce soaring healthcare costs tied to obesity-related complications.

The key recommendations state that GLP-1 therapies may be used for long-term obesity treatment in adults, excluding pregnant women, and must be combined with intensive lifestyle interventions.

The WHO flagged concerns over limited long-term safety data, high drug costs, weak health-system capacity, and the risk of widening health inequalities, stressing that without targeted policies, access to GLP-1 therapies may deepen existing disparities.

It called for a comprehensive obesity strategy built on three pillars:
– Creating healthier environments through strong public policies
– Protecting high-risk individuals through early screening and intervention
– Ensuring equitable access to lifelong, person-centred obesity care

The organisation urged countries to ensure fair access to GLP-1 therapies, strengthen health systems ahead of their broader use, and adopt holistic measures to combat the escalating obesity crisis.

WHO Issues First Global Guideline on GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity Treatment

Resident doctors suspend 29-day strike after reaching agreement with FG

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its indefinite strike, 29 days after it began on November 1, following an agreement with the Federal Government to address key demands related to arrears, promotions, and welfare.

Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, NARD National President, announced the suspension on Saturday via his X handle @mohagirei, after an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The move came after “a series of conciliatory meetings” which culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining the status of the association’s 19-point demands.

Among the outstanding issues, promotion arrears remain a priority. Suleiman stated that compilation of the arrears by Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Managing Directors (MDs) is ongoing, with a four-week deadline set for payment. Salary arrears are also expected to be cleared within the same timeframe.

READ ALSO:

• NECO grants full accreditation to schools in Burkina Faso to conduct SSCE, BECE exams
• Four Dead, Ten Injured in Mass Shooting at Child’s Birthday Party in California
• White House Shooting: Suspect Once Worked With CIA as US Opens Full Terrorism Probe

On the specialist allowance, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has issued directives, while the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) is expected to ensure implementation. The MoU also addresses the reabsorption of the “Lokoja Five” resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, expected within two weeks.

Other agreements include resolving failed or omitted payments related to the 25/35 percent review and accoutrement allowance, completing the resident upgrade process, and settling issues concerning house officers. Interim directives have been issued to CMDs and MDs to curb what NARD described as “obnoxious clauses” in locum engagements, while committees reviewing locum policies and work hours are expected to deliver reports within two months.

Suleiman emphasized that the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process will resume promptly, and discussions on consultant cadres for other health professionals will form part of future engagements. The special pensions committee is also set to resume its activities.

The NEC resolved to suspend the strike for four weeks to allow the government to implement the agreements, warning that failure to do so would lead to a resumption of the strike. The four-week countdown starts on Monday as a reminder for full compliance.

The strike, which began over unpaid arrears, stalled promotions, allowances, staffing gaps, and other welfare grievances, affected health services nationwide, putting pressure on both the government and health facilities.

Resident doctors suspend 29-day strike after reaching agreement with FG