The strike action by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) within the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has entered its second week, disrupting critical regulatory functions and raised concerns about public health risks.
The industrial action, which began on October 7, 2024, stems from grievances raised by the union despite ongoing negotiations with the agency’s management.
In her reaction, NAFDAC’s director-general, Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, in a press statement issued on Monday, averred that the management had engaged the union leadership in a series of meetings both before and during the strike.
However, despite these efforts, no resolution has been reached, Adeyeye lamented, while revealing that the agency held meetings on October 5, 11, 18, and 19, but MHWUN remains steadfast in continuing the industrial action.
The director-general expressed concerns about the potential health and security risks the prolonged strike poses, given NAFDAC’s crucial role in regulating food and drug safety in Nigeria.
Adeyeye added that the disruption of regulatory functions has far-reaching implications, including damage to the agency’s reputation, loss of revenue, and a potential inability to meet financial obligations such as productivity and other allowances due in 2024 and 2025.
In her appeal, Adeyeye called on the union to return to work, highlighting the steps the management has taken to address the grievances and emphasising NAFDAC’s critical role in safeguarding public health.
