The ongoing strike by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) employees, organized by the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies, has led to significant disruptions across key sectors. The strike, which began on October 7 over unresolved promotion issues and welfare concerns, has halted essential operations, particularly in areas that require NAFDAC oversight. While the NAFDAC Medical and Health Workers Union insists on continuing the strike until their demands are met, Dr. Sayo Akintola, the Resident Media Consultant for NAFDAC, clarified that the promotion issues fall under the jurisdiction of the Head of the Service of the Federation, not NAFDAC’s management.
In response to the strike, Akintola assured the public that the matter had been escalated to the appropriate authorities. However, he urged patience, explaining that NAFDAC’s role in promotions is limited to administering exams, while the final decision lies with the federal government based on budgetary constraints. The delay in resolving the strike has also caused ripple effects across the maritime and logistics sectors. According to the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria and other clearing agents, the lack of NAFDAC clearance for medications, chemicals, and other regulated items has caused delays in port operations.
The strike’s impact extends to financial losses due to containers accumulating charges for daily shipping costs, terminal fees, and storage. With NAFDAC officials unavailable to conduct mandatory inspections and clearances, containers are stranded at terminals, affecting manufacturers and the broader economy. Clearing agents have expressed frustration with the ongoing situation and called for an expedited resolution to the standoff to minimize further economic damage.
