The Osun State Government has pledged stronger institutional support for the activities of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, as part of efforts to curb the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs within the state.
Governor Ademola Adeleke said the state regarded NAFDAC’s regulatory role as critical to public health protection, stressing that the unchecked distribution of fake drugs and consumables posed serious risks to residents and the healthcare system.
He emphasised that sustained collaboration among government institutions remained necessary to confront the spread of unwholesome products in markets and medical facilities, adding that enforcement and public sensitisation must be pursued collectively to achieve lasting results.
The assurance was given on Wednesday when Adeleke received the Osun State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Stephen Aina, alongside members of the agency’s management team at the Government House, Oke-Fia, in Osogbo.
The governor said the state was ready to work closely with the agency to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, promote compliance with regulatory standards and expand awareness among residents, noting that “Protecting lives requires cooperation, vigilance and shared responsibility.”
He also highlighted the need for intelligence sharing among regulatory bodies, security agencies and host communities, explaining that effective regulation could not succeed in isolation or without active citizen participation.
Responding to NAFDAC’s request for inclusion in the State Security Council, Adeleke acknowledged the relevance of regulatory agencies to public safety, saying the proposal would be considered within the existing security framework to improve coordination and response.
Aina thanked the state government for its support, describing the prevailing peace in Osun as beneficial to regulatory work, while disclosing intensified monitoring, public education and youth-focused outreach programmes, and appealing for logistics support to enhance operational efficiency.
