The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has partnered with Interra Networks Ltd to strengthen its regulatory operations and customer engagement.
As part of the collaboration, the agency inaugurated a 24-hour call centre in Abuja to handle complaints and enquiries related to food, drugs, and other regulated products. The facility will be managed by the telecommunications firm and is designed to provide round-the-clock support to Nigerians.
Speaking at the launch, NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, said the initiative would enhance service delivery, noting that the agency interacts with thousands of stakeholders across sectors including food, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, cosmetics, and medical devices.
She explained that the call centre would guide customers through processes such as product registration, especially as the agency continues to digitise its operations.
According to her, quicker access to information on registration timelines and requirements would help facilitate trade and improve efficiency.
Adeyeye also stressed the importance of financial sustainability, stating that maintaining the facility would require discipline and consistent funding. She revealed that the agency had cleared a ₦3.2 billion debt inherited in 2017 through prudent management.
She added that trained NAFDAC personnel would support the call centre by handling escalated issues, while the platform would also boost surveillance by enabling the public to report suspicious or substandard products.
The director-general reiterated that the ban on alcohol in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml remains in effect.
Earlier, Interra Networks Ltd Managing Director, Emeka Okafor, said the company specialises in business process outsourcing and customer engagement solutions.
He noted that the firm would manage incoming calls, respond to enquiries, and escalate unresolved issues to NAFDAC, assuring that the lines would operate with no calls left unanswered.
Okafor added that the company is working with network providers to ensure reliable connectivity for seamless service delivery.