The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) and the FCT Directorate of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have held a one-day sensitization programme to educate Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (nMSMEs) on how to properly register their food and cosmetic products.
The event, which took place on Thursday, May 22, 2025, brought together business owners, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders to simplify the registration process and promote best practices among small businesses.
In his welcome address, the Acting Managing Director of AEA, Dr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, said the event aimed to support MSMEs in understanding certification requirements and improving their operations. He explained that the FCT MSME One-Stop Shop, established by AEA, is designed to reduce bureaucracy and make it easier for businesses to formalize and register their products.
Dr. Chudi said the One-Stop Shop brings together various regulatory and financial agencies under one roof to help MSMEs obtain the licenses, certifications, and funding they need. He added that officers from these agencies, including NAFDAC, were present at the event to offer direct guidance to participants.
He also thanked FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud for their support in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT.
Speaking during the event, Director of Greater FCT-NAFDAC, Dr. Kenneth Azikiwe, said he created a dedicated MSME Unit in the FCT office to make it easier for small businesses to register low-risk products and obtain their NAFDAC numbers.
According to him, low-risk products include items like bread, cookies, chinchin, popcorn, plantain chips, kulikuli, and similar foods that are less likely to be contaminated. He urged entrepreneurs to visit the NAFDAC office to view the full list of both low- and high-risk products.
Dr. Azikiwe warned business owners to avoid falling victim to fraudulent consultants, some of whom charge outrageous fees for product registration.
“Don’t let anyone deceive you into paying N200,000 for a NAFDAC number. How much are you making from packaged garri? That’s exploitation,” he warned.
One of the attendees, Safiya Aliyu, shared how a fake consultant once tried to charge her N2 million for product registration and a trademark while she was abroad. She praised the sensitization event, saying such efforts by regulatory agencies can help prevent fraud and save entrepreneurs from unnecessary costs.
Other key officials present included Mr. Adegboyega Ossiyemi, Head of PR, Greater FCT-NAFDAC; Mr. Thomas Itsheme, Head of the MSME Unit; and Hajia Aisha Girei, Desk Officer of the FCT-MSME One-Stop Shop.
