Lagos: 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.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Director-General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, emphasized that regulatory compliance should be viewed as a business strategy rather than a statutory obligation, noting that it enhances product quality, builds consumer confidence, and creates market opportunities. He highlighted that women manufacturers continue to face challenges beyond access to finance and markets, particularly in navigating regulatory requirements. The knowledge series was designed to equip women entrepreneurs with practical guidance on reg
ulatory compliance, product standards, and certification to position their businesses for sustainable growth.
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.
The Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, stated that standards and certification remain critical to improving product quality, strengthening consumer confidence, and enhancing manufacturers’ competiti
veness. Represented by Mrs Theresa Ojomo, Director, Lagos Region, Okeke mentioned that SON supports manufacturers through standards development, product certification, inspection services, training, metrology, and conformity assessment for imports and exports. He explained that adherence to standards reduces regulatory risks, removes technical barriers to trade, and improves access to domestic and export markets.
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 stressed that integrity, continuous learning, investment in people, regulatory compliance, and a long-term growth mindset are essential for business success.