A critical AU Model Law aimed at harmonizing medical products regulatory systems in Africa was endorsed by African Heads of State and Government at the January 2016 AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The AU Model Law will contribute towards accelerate the regulation of safe, quality and affordable medical products and technologies in Nigeria.

The West Africa Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (MRH) programme was launched in 2015 in Accra, Ghana. Nigeria participated in the establishment of the joint MRH Project Steering Committee and formation of 7 Technical Working Groups (TWG’s). The TWG’s are tasked with developing technical guidelines of the MRH programme. In addition, a joint framework of collaboration between WAHO and WAEMU has been agreed upon.

Nigeria has two registered RCOREs specialized in training in core regulatory functions and quality assurance and quality control of medicines namely: University of Ibadan, Nigeria – Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production; and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria respectively. RCOREs are institutions with specific academic and technical regulatory science expertise and training capabilities capable of producing regulatory workforce in Africa.