LAGOS — The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, recently hosted representatives from the Michigan State University (MSU) School of Packaging in Lagos to explore collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing packaging systems for Nigeria’s locally manufactured foods and pharmaceuticals.
The strategic engagement, which held earlier this week, focused on building technical capacity, improving compliance with global standards, and fostering innovation in packaging technology, a critical component in safeguarding product quality, prolonging shelf life, and boosting consumer confidence.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Adeyeye emphasized the importance of sustainable and efficient packaging in advancing Nigeria’s industrial growth, especially in the context of food safety, medicine stability, and export readiness.
“Our partnership with Michigan State University aligns with NAFDAC’s commitment to strengthen regulatory systems and promote local content development. Effective packaging is not just aesthetic; it is central to safety, traceability, and competitiveness in both domestic and international markets,” she said.
The delegation from MSU’s School of Packaging, one of the world’s leading institutions in the field, expressed readiness to support Nigeria through technical assistance, training programs, and knowledge transfer initiatives tailored to address local challenges.
According to NAFDAC officials, discussions also touched on potential joint research, curriculum development for packaging science, and pilot projects with Nigerian manufacturers in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
The collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to improving Nigeria’s packaging ecosystem, thereby reducing post-production losses, enhancing product quality assurance, and opening up new export opportunities under regional and global trade agreements.
Analysts have welcomed the move, noting that enhanced packaging infrastructure could help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and manufacturers meet regulatory requirements, gain access to new markets, and drive innovation across the value chain.
Further engagements between NAFDAC and MSU are expected in the coming months, with a roadmap already being developed for phased implementation of identified action points.
