The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has passed for second reading a bill sponsored by the Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District, Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, seeking to strengthen Nigeria’s regulatory framework for food, medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other regulated health products.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Food, Drug and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act, Cap. F33, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Enact the Food, Drugs, Related Products, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Regulatory Act, 2026,” is designed to align Nigeria’s regulatory regime with emerging global best practices while addressing the growing complexities within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar noted that the existing law has become inadequate in responding to evolving public health challenges, technological advancements and the increasing sophistication of counterfeit and substandard products.
According to the lawmaker, the proposed legislation will establish a more comprehensive legal framework for the regulation, registration, monitoring and surveillance of food, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, cosmetics, medical devices and related products in order to better protect the health and safety of Nigerians.
Among its key provisions, the bill seeks to strengthen regulatory oversight, enhance product traceability, improve post-market surveillance, provide a clearer legal framework for clinical trials and empower regulatory authorities to respond more effectively to emerging public health risks.
The bill received broad support from senators, who described it as a timely intervention that would reinforce consumer protection, improve healthcare outcomes and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions.
Following its successful second reading, the Senate referred the bill to the appropriate committee for further legislative scrutiny and stakeholder engagement before its consideration for third reading.
Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar expressed appreciation to his distinguished colleagues for their overwhelming support, reaffirming his commitment to sponsoring legislation that promotes public health, protects consumers and contributes meaningfully to national development.
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