NAFDAC Registration Checklist: Get Approval for Food & Beverages

Achieving NAFDAC registration is a non-negotiable step for any serious food or beverage business in Nigeria. This comprehensive guide and checklist will help you navigate the process efficiently and secure your product’s legal certification for the Nigerian market.

Nailing Your NAFDAC Registration: A Checklist for Food and Beverage Businesses

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration is the single most important step for legalizing your food or beverage product in Nigeria. Without it, you cannot legally manufacture, import, or distribute your goods.

This definitive checklist is structured to guide Nigerian entrepreneurs, especially Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), through the entire process, ensuring you meet all compliance requirements.

Phase 1: Foundational Business Compliance

Before you even touch the NAFDAC application portal, you must ensure your business foundation is solid.

✅ Checklist Item	Requirement Details	Key Documents
1. Business Registration (CAC)	Your business must be legally incorporated. NAFDAC will not process applications for unregistered businesses.	Certificate of Incorporation or Business Name Registration (from CAC).
2. Brand Protection (Trademark)	While optional for some MSMEs, registering your product’s brand name is highly advised to prevent future conflicts.	Trademark Approval/Registration from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
3. Facility/Location	Have a verifiable, dedicated production address. A home address is often acceptable for micro-scale businesses, but the facility must meet NAFDAC’s Good Hygienic Practices (GHP).	Site Use Agreement (if renting) or Deed of Ownership.
4. Technical Expertise	Ensure you have qualified personnel overseeing production, especially for complex products.	Appointment and Acceptance Letter of a Technical Officer (with qualifications).

Phase 2: Product and Documentation Mastery

This is the most critical phase where attention to detail is paramount. Missing or incorrect documentation is the number one cause of application delays.

A. Product Details & Testing (The Scientific Proof)

✅ Checklist Item	Requirement Details	Key Documents
5. Product Formulation	A detailed list of all ingredients, including additives, raw materials, and their percentage composition.	Comprehensive Formulation Details.
6. Certificate of Analysis (CoA)	The product must be tested in a recognized laboratory (in-house or accredited third-party). The CoA proves the product’s safety and quality.	Comprehensive Certificate of Analysis (must include batch number, mfg/exp dates, analyst signature, and lab letterhead).
7. Production Description	A step-by-step description of your manufacturing process, from raw material receipt to final packaging.	Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Production, Quality Control, and Cleaning.
8. Health & Hygiene	Production staff must undergo medical checks to ensure they are fit to handle food products.	Food Handlers’ Certificate/Medical Fitness Certificate (must include results for Sputum, Stool, Widal, Hepatitis B, and Urine tests).

B. Labeling Compliance (The Public Face)

Your product label must meet strict NAFDAC Food Labelling Regulations.

✅ Checklist Item	Requirement Details	Key Documents
9. Name and Brand	Product name (must be distinct) and brand name.	Draft Label Artwork (Coloured, clear, and legible).
10. Essential Dates & Details	Clearly state the Manufacturing Date, Best Before/Expiry Date, Net Content (Weight/Volume), and a Batch Number.	Draft Label Artwork.
11. Ingredients List	All ingredients must be listed in descending order of proportion (from most to least used).	Draft Label Artwork.
12. NAFDAC Registration Provision	The label must have a visible space designated for the NAFDAC Registration Number (e.g., “NAFDAC Reg. No.: ______”).	Draft Label Artwork.
13. Contact Information	Name and location address of the manufacturer or distributor.	Draft Label Artwork.
14. Warnings & Storage	Include allergy cautions (where applicable) and storage conditions (e.g., “Store in a cool, dry place”).	Draft Label Artwork.

Phase 3: Submission, Inspection, and Approval

Once the documents are prepared, you move to the official submission phase via the NAFDAC portal.

✅ Checklist Item	Step Details	Timeline (Approximate)
15. Online Application & Payment	Create an account on the NAFDAC e-registration platform (NAPAMS). Complete the form and generate the Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) for payment.	1-2 Working Days
16. Document Submission	Submit the application letter and upload the scanned copies of all required documents (Checklist Items 1-14) to the NAPAMS portal.	1 Working Day
17. Preliminary Vetting & Queries	NAFDAC’s desk officer reviews your application. If there are deficiencies, a Compliance Directive (CD) will be issued. Respond promptly to avoid application closure.	10–20 Working Days
18. Facility Inspection (GMP/GHP)	NAFDAC inspectors will visit your production site to ensure it adheres to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) or Good Hygiene Practice (GHP) standards for MSMEs.	10–30 Working Days
19. Product Sampling & Lab Testing	Samples of your product are collected during the inspection (or requested later) and sent for mandatory laboratory analysis.	20–40 Working Days
20. Final Approval	Upon satisfactory GMP/GHP compliance and laboratory report, your product is scheduled for the final Product Approval Meeting.	10–20 Working Days
21. Certificate Collection	You are notified to collect your official Certificate of Registration, which is typically valid for five (5) years.	1 Working Day

⏱️ Realistic Timeline (Locally Manufactured Food Products)

The total processing time from submission to approval is typically 90 working days (approximately 4–5 months), assuming there are no major compliance queries or delays from your side.

💰 Cost Implications (Estimate)

While NAFDAC tariffs change, it is essential to budget for all categories of fees. These costs are for locally manufactured MSME Food Products (as of the latest available guidelines, always confirm current tariffs on the NAFDAC website):

Fee Type	Estimated Cost (NGN)	Purpose
Application & Registration Form	₦2,500 – ₦5,000	Administrative cost for the form.
Facility Inspection Fee	₦11,000 – ₦30,000	For the GMP/GHP inspection of your factory.
Laboratory Analysis Fee	₦5,500 – ₦27,000	Cost of testing the product sample.
Certificate Fee	₦3,000 – ₦16,500	Issuance fee for the final certificate.
Total NAFDAC Fees (VAT Exclusive)	₦22,000 – ₦78,500+	Note: This excludes professional consultant fees, CAC registration, and lab testing for the CoA.

💡 Pro-Tip for Avoiding Delays

The most frequent reason for application failure is incomplete or non-compliant documentation.

Pre-test: Do your own internal or third-party laboratory analysis to ensure your product is safe before NAFDAC tests it.
Label Vetting: Pay meticulous attention to your label. Use the NAFDAC Labelling Regulations as your Bible—even a simple omission of the ‘Net Weight’ can cause a rejection.
Professional Help: Consider engaging a reputable NAFDAC consultant. Their expertise in document preparation and following up on Compliance Directives can significantly reduce the overall timeline.

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