International Organization On Chemical Weapons Lists Nigerian Lab As Test Site

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) revealed that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has listed Nigeria and Kenya as their biological and chemical destructive weapons test sites.

"Following massive investment in our laboratory, Nigeria has been designated by OPCW," Sayo Akintola, who works as Resident Media Consultant, said, The Guardian reported. "What it means is that all chemicals associated with weapons of destruction, both biological and chemical, can be tested in NAFDAC laboratory."

This news came after OPCW experts visited NAFDAC's central laboratory in Oshodi, Lagos on Thursday "for inspection and assessment of facilities to be deployed for global assignment."

NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye shared that they have been on this for almost four years, noting that COVID-19 affected their activities.

She added, "We are going on proficiency testing, and we have gone from 'participation' to 'very good', which is the highest level in the OPCW assessment."

She further shared her excitement as the experts were "overwhelmed" with the ground facilities.

Adeyeye said that they did all their presentations and experts asked little or no questions. However, now the team is discussing certain areas that can be improved.

"They were overwhelmed by the commitment of the National Authority for Chemical and Biological Weapons Convention (NAC&BWC) in Nigeria and the Federal Government to the project," she continued. "We are not at war, yes, but we are not only to be testing for Nigeria, we are not only going to be testing the samples that will be used in Nigeria."

She went on to share that in Africa, two sites have been considered for this testing - Nigeria and Kenya, adding that they will later cover West Africa and some parts of Africa and the world.

"Wherever there are skirmishes or use of weapons, it might not only be a war situation, NAFDAC could be invited to draw sample(s) and then test for the possibility of using harmful chemicals that could be lethal to people," Adeyeye added.

The director general explained that if there was an explosive in Niger State or anywhere else, they can sample it and see the by-product to understand if it would be lethal to people when they come in contact with them.

Adeyeye first disclosed in February 2018 that the National Authority for the Prohibition of Chemical and Biological Weapons Convention visited the NAFDAC Central Laboratory to assess the on-ground facility in order to participate in OPCW testing.

While in October 2018 the rating of the country was low, the agency has now improved the score in October 2022, as per Independent.

Adeyeye thanked the United Kingdom for its assistance and contribution in assessing and improving the technical competence of laboratories in OPCW member States in Africa and the Group of Latin America and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) regions.