By Desitiny Obinna
Nigeria has formally deposited its instrument of ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty, becoming the 34th member state of the African Union to join the continental regulatory body in a major development for public health and pharmaceutical advancement in Africa.
The announcement was made by the African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Ambassador A. Twum-Amoah, during the inaugural African Medicines Agency Week holding in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 25 to 30, 2026.
Nigeria’s delegation is led by the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, alongside senior directors of the agency.
The conference, anchored by AMA Director-General, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, brought together representatives of African medicines regulatory authorities, regional economic communities, the World Health Organisation, the European Union and other international development partners.
Nigeria’s ratification is expected to strengthen continental cooperation in medicines regulation, improve access to quality-assured medicines and intensify efforts against substandard and falsified medical products.
As Africa’s most populous country and one of its largest pharmaceutical markets, Nigeria’s membership is also expected to deepen regulatory collaboration, encourage pharmaceutical innovation and support local drug manufacturing.
The development provides an important platform for stronger cooperation between NAFDAC, the AMA and other national and regional regulatory institutions in tackling challenges confronting Africa’s pharmaceutical sector.
The ratification also reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to pharmaceutical sovereignty and health security, particularly through regulatory capacity development, scientific cooperation, information sharing and harmonised standards.
The statement stressed that the success of the continental agency would ultimately depend on its ability to improve access to safe, effective and affordable medicines across Africa.
“Ultimately, the success of the African Medicines Agency will be measured by its contribution to ensuring that every African has access to safe, effective, quality-assured and affordable medicines,” the statement declared.
It further described Nigeria’s ratification as more than a diplomatic or legal achievement, noting that it represents “a significant investment in Africa’s health security, pharmaceutical sovereignty and sustainable development.”
With Nigeria now joining the AMA Treaty framework, attention is expected to shift towards translating the commitment into practical regulatory cooperation, stronger pharmaceutical oversight and improved access to essential medicines across the continent.
