By Milcah Tanimu
Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has revealed the severe financial challenges she encountered upon assuming office. Adeyeye disclosed that she inherited a staggering ₦3.2 billion in debt and found ₦500 million unaccounted for.
In an interview on Channels Television’s *Inside Sources*, Adeyeye elaborated on the financial state she encountered. She remarked that such a situation in a developed country, like the United States, would likely have led to the declaration of bankruptcy and the intervention of a financial management firm.
“I arrived at NAFDAC and was faced with ₦3.2 billion in debt and ₦500 million that was missing with no clear explanation,” Adeyeye said. “At that time, ₦1 million was equivalent to $2,000, making the missing funds quite significant. Coming from the US, where financial resources are hard-earned, I was disheartened but chose to view it as an opportunity.”
Adeyeye noted that the lack of funds to hire a financial management firm meant she had to take drastic measures. “If this had happened in the US, a financial house would have been brought in to manage the situation. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that luxury, so I had to make tough decisions.”
She emphasized her commitment to improving the situation through innovative measures. “We started using technology, such as Zoom meetings, back in 2018. This was met with resistance because it affected allowances and travel reimbursements. But these changes were necessary to save resources and manage our finances more effectively.”
Adeyeye’s leadership approach underscores her determination to leverage technology and make the most of the available resources to turn around NAFDAC’s financial health.
