By Rukayat Moisemhe
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have urged women manufacturers to prioritise regulatory compliance.
The organisations gave the advice at the maiden edition of the MAN Women in Manufacturing Knowledge and Support Series, with the theme: “Regulatory Compliance and Market Readiness for Women Manufacturers,” on Wednesday in Lagos.
The Director-General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said regulatory compliance should be seen as a business strategy rather than a statutory obligation, noting that it enhanced product quality, built consumer confidence and created market opportunities.
Ajayi-Kadir said women manufacturers continued to face challenges beyond access to finance and markets, particularly in navigating regulatory requirements.
He said the knowledge series was designed to equip women entrepreneurs with practical guidance on regulatory compliance, product standards and certification to position their businesses for sustainable growth.
“We want women manufacturers to better understand regulatory requirements, improve product compliance and strengthen the competitiveness of their businesses.
“Compliance is an investment in business growth, not just an obligation,” he said.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, identified poor documentation, delayed responses to compliance directives and inadequate regulatory management as common factors delaying product registration.
Adeyeye, represented by Mrs Temitayo Adeoye, Director of Drug Registration and Regulatory Affairs, urged manufacturers to ensure complete documentation, maintain Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant facilities and regularly monitor NAFDAC’s Digital Management System and National Product Administration and Monitoring System portals.
She also advised manufacturers to appoint dedicated regulatory affairs officers to oversee compliance processes and promptly address regulatory queries.
According to her, product labels should comply with NAFDAC guidelines, while factory records, product dossiers and technical documents must remain consistent throughout the registration process.
“Treat Good Manufacturing Practice compliance as an ongoing standard, not a one-off exercise for inspection purposes.
“Proper documentation, timely responses and regular monitoring of registration portals will facilitate a seamless product registration process,” she said.
The Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said standards and certification remained critical to improving product quality, strengthening consumer confidence and enhancing manufacturers’ competitiveness.
Represented by Mrs Theresa Ojomo, Director, Lagos Region, Okeke said SON supported manufacturers through standards development, product certification, inspection services, training, metrology and conformity assessment for imports and exports.
He said adherence to standards reduced regulatory risks, removed technical barriers to trade and improved access to domestic and export markets.
According to him, manufacturers should identify applicable Nigerian standards, obtain relevant certification and participate in SON’s capacity-building programmes to sustain compliance.
“Standards are business enablers, not barriers. Certification enhances credibility and competitiveness, while compliance positions businesses for growth and market expansion,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Noxie Ltd., Dr Ngozi Oyewole, urged women entrepreneurs to remain resilient in the face of operational challenges and leverage regulatory compliance to build sustainable manufacturing businesses.
Oyewole said integrity, continuous learning, investment in people, regulatory compliance and a long-term growth mindset were essential for business success.
“Compliance should not be seen as a burden but as a strategy for business growth, credibility and access to larger markets.
“Manufacturers must prioritise quality standards, staff development and knowledge acquisition to remain competitive,” she said. (NAN)
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma