It was a day of intense industry learning and knowledge acquisition as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)-owned Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), in collaboration with the FCT office of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), educated operators of Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (nMSMEs) on registration procedures for food and cosmetic products and the importance of regulatory compliance.
In his welcome address at the event, Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), AEA, Dr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, emphasized that the programme aimed not only to demystify product registration processes but also to promote adherence to best operational practices among nMSMEs.
According to a statement signed by Comrade Emmanuel Tortiv, AEA’s Team Lead, Corporate Communications, Dr. Ugwuada-Ezirigwe highlighted the pivotal role of AEA’s FCT MSME One-Stop Shop in enhancing the ease of doing business in the nation’s capital.
He noted that the facility serves to simplify MSME formalization and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.
“You will be pleased to know that this One-Stop Shop houses operational desks of key regulatory and financial institutions.
“These institutions serve and support MSMEs by providing essential certifications, licenses, and access to finance.
“We are delighted to have representatives from these institutions, including NAFDAC, present today to provide on-the-spot professional support”, the MD/CEO stated.
Dr. Ugwuada-Ezirigwe expressed gratitude to the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and the Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, for their unwavering support in realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the FCT.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Director, Greater FCT-NAFDAC, Dr. Kenneth Azikiwe, revealed that upon assuming office, and with the directive of the Director-General (DG), NAFDAC, Professor Moji Adeyeye, he prioritized the establishment of an MSME Unit within the FCT office of NAFDAC.
The unit’s core goal, he explained, is to facilitate the registration of Low Risk Products (LRPs) and ensure they obtain NAFDAC numbers.
Dr. Azikiwe defined LRPs as items with minimal contamination risk, citing examples such as bread, cupcakes, chinchin, cookies, baking flour, popcorn, potato chips, plantain chips, and ‘kulikuli’.
He encouraged entrepreneurs to consult the NAFDAC office for comprehensive lists of low and high-risk products.
He urged startups to pursue proper registration and trademarks while cautioning against falling prey to fraudulent consultants.
His words: “Don’t let anyone convince you to pay N200,000 for a NAFDAC number. How much profit can you make from packaged garri? That is criminal.
In an interview, a participant, Safiya Aliyu, shared her experience of being approached by a registration consultant who demanded N2 million for NAFDAC and trademark services while she was abroad.
She praised the sensitization program as vital to protecting entrepreneurs from exploitation.
Other dignitaries present included Head, Public Relations (PR), Greater FCT-NAFDAC, Mr Adepgoyega Ossiyemi; Head of the MSME Unit, Greater FCT-NAFDAC, Mr. Thomas Itsheme; Desk Officer, FCT-MSME One-Stop Shop, Hajiya Aisha Girei; and top management of AEA.
