Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye: A titan of regulatory excellence

This week, we celebrate a titan of global health and regulatory excellence, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

A scientist, educator, and uncompromising leader, she has successfully transformed Nigeria’s regulatory landscape from a state of insolvency into a globally recognized benchmark for pharmaceutical safety.

Professor Adeyeye’s journey is a powerful narrative of excellence. After graduating from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, she spent over 30 years in the United States, rising to become a Professor Emeritus of Pharmaceutics and Drug Product Evaluation. Armed with five patents and a distinguished academic career, she chose to return to Nigeria in 2017 to lead NAFDAC. Her childhood, spent in Ifewara, Osun State, was marked by a poignant memory, her mother telling her she was denied an education because she was a girl. That moment sparked a lifelong drive to prove that a woman's intellectual potential is limitless.

Since taking the helm, Professor Adeyeye has shifted NAFDAC’s culture from a toxic and debt-ridden environment to a solvent, science-driven institution. Her leadership has moved the agency toward what she calls Intelligent Regulation.

In 2022, NAFDAC attained the World Health Organization's (WHO) Maturity Level 3, signaling a stable and well-functioning regulatory system.

As of early 2026, Professor Adeyeye is aggressively steering the agency toward Maturity Level 4 (ML4) and designation as a WHO-Listed Authority (WLA)—the highest global standard. This status would allow Nigerian-made pharmaceuticals to be traded and accepted worldwide, significantly boosting the nation’s export potential.

Under her watch, NAFDAC has fully digitized its regulatory processes. By 2026, the agency has integrated Artificial Intelligence for triaging applications and reviewing dossiers, alongside the GS1-driven traceability system to track the vaccine supply chain. These reforms have virtually eliminated the paper-heavy era, making NAFDAC one of the most technologically advanced regulatory bodies in Africa.

A fierce advocate for youth safety, Professor Adeyeye has remained unwavering in her commitment to the December 2025 ban on sachet alcohol and small plastic bottles. Despite significant industry pressure, she has maintained that the affordability and concealability of these products fuel a national crisis of underage drinking and substance abuse.

Beyond her official duties, Professor Adeyeye is a woman of deep compassion. She is the founder of Drugs for AIDS and HIV Patients (DAHP), a non-profit dedicated to the education, care, and treatment of children living with HIV/AIDS. Her Sarah’s Extended Family Homes provides a sanctuary for vulnerable children, ensuring they receive care from kindergarten through university.

Professor Adeyeye thrives because she pairs a rigorous scientific mind with an ironclad sense of integrity. She famously cleared ₦3.2 billion in inherited debt within her first year and has since ensured that NAFDAC functions with transparency and accountability. Her life is a masterclass in how professional excellence, when fueled by a passion for service, can safeguard the health of an entire nation.