The name of the Agency reflects its functions very adequately. By the provisions of the enabling decree, (decree No. 15 of 1993) the Agency is mandated to:

• Regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals

• Conducts appropriate test and ensure compliance with standard specifications designated and approved by the council for the effective control of quality of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals and their raw materials as well as their production processes in factories and other establishments.

• Undertake appropriate investigation into the production premises and raw materials for food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals and establish relevant quality assurance system, including certification of the production sites and of the regulated products

• Undertake inspection of imported food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals and establish relevant quality assurance system, including certification of the production sites and of the regulated products.

• Compile standard specifications and regulations and guidelines for the production, importation, exportation, sale and distribution of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals

• Undertake the registration of food, drugs, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals

• Control the exportation and issue quality certification of food, drugs, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals intended for export

• Establish and maintain relevant laboratories or other institutions in strategic areas of Nigeria as may be necessary for the performance of its functions

• Pronounce on the quality and safety of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals after appropriate analysis

• Undertake measures to ensure that the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are limited to medical and scientific purposes

• Grant authorization for the import and export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as well as other controlled substances

• Collaborate with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in measures to eradicate drug abuse in Nigeria

• Advise Federal, State and Local Governments, the Private sector and other interested bodies regarding the quality, safety and regulatory provisions on food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals

• Issue guidelines on, approve and monitor the advertisement of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals

• Compile and publish relevant data resulting from the performance of the functions of the Agency or from other sources

• Sponsor such national and international conference as it may consider appropriate

• Liaise with relevant establishments within and outside Nigeria in pursuance of its functions

In discharging the above functions, the agency envisages that its activities will be evident in all sectors that deal with food, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals to the extent of instilling extra need for caution and compulsion to respect and obey existing regulations both for healthy living and knowledge of certain sanctions or default.

The agency was set up as a parastatal under the control of the defunct twelve- member Government Council which was formally inaugurated on 31st December, 1992 by the then Minister of Health, Professor Olikoye Ransome Kuti. The then council had its chairman, a highly experienced Retired Public Officer and Diplomat in the person of Ambassador Tanimu Saulawa. When the council was in place, activities of the Agency were overseen through its three main committees namely:

• Financial and General Purpose Committee

• Establishment and Disciplinary Committee

• Technical, Research and Consultancy Committee

• Administration & Finance

• Planning, Research & Statistics

• Narcotics & Controlled Substances

• Regulatory & Registration

• Inspectorate

• Laboratory Services

• Enforcement

• Ports Inspection

Legal Unit - The unit proffers legal advice on issues of law arising from Employee-Employer relationship and is the custodian of legal documents and all agreements relating to the Agency. Its functions include the following:

• Ensuring that the rights and interest of the Agency are well protected under the various legal documents that bind it;

• Drafting regulations, agreements and rendering legal opinions to the Director General. NAFDAC and the various Directorate.

• Facilities Prosecution of offenders at the Tribunals and Courts.

Public Relations Unit - The Public Relations Unit under the Director Generals office has the primary responsibility of informing, sensitizing, enlightening and creating awareness on the role of the Agency. In carrying out these functions the PR unit employed the services of mass media and the information channels of communication as effective tools in the discharge of its duties.

The unit is solely responsible for the publication, of a Quarterly News Magazine and other publications Information Brochure and Handbills of the Agency. It also co-ordinates the Information, Education and Communication (I.E.C) programs of the Agency in the Televisions and Radios as well as other enlightenment, campaigns. In active collaboration with the Planning Research and Statistics Directorate, the Unit also facilitates NAFDAC's participation at several international and domestic Trade Fairs and Exhibition.

Internal Audit - Fundamental functions of Internal audit are as follows:

• Provides a means of measuring the effectiveness of the system of internal control and accounting.

• Tests on the accounting purpose of ensuring that they provide reliable basis for the preparation of the Agency's financial statements.

• Draws attention of top management to areas of inefficiencies, deficiencies and all departures from established procedures.

• Making of appropriate recommendations for improvements in the bookkeeping and accounting system of the Agency.  

• Carrying out special investigations