NAFDAC destroys ₦1.8b fake, unwholesome products
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed substandard, falsified, expired and unwholesome regulated products valued at ₦1,855,650,000 in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), warning that counterfeit trade poses a serious threat to public health and national security.
The destruction exercise, conducted under the 2026 FCT General Destruction Programme, covered a broad range of seized and voluntarily surrendered items.
These destroyed products included banned sachet alcohol below 200ml, narcotics, antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal products, counterfeit food items such as sachet milk, cosmetics, chemicals, medical devices and other expired regulated products.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the exercise demonstrated the agency’s commitment to permanently removing unsafe products from circulation and preventing their re-entry into the market.
She warned that the proliferation of counterfeit medicines and other unregulated products poses grave risks to public health and the economy, adding that offenders would continue to face stricter sanctions.
According to the DG who was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Dr. Iluyomade Martins, NAFDAC is intensifying enforcement operations, strengthening surveillance systems, and expanding collaboration with stakeholders to track, seize and prosecute those involved in the production and distribution of fake products.
She added that the agency is working with the National Assembly to strengthen its enabling law to impose harsher penalties, including asset forfeiture, on counterfeiters.
Adeyeye said the destruction exercise remains part of routine regulatory measures to clear unsafe products from the supply chain and prevent their redistribution to unsuspecting consumers.
She called for sustained collaboration among political, traditional and religious leaders, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and the media to curb the menace, while urging consumers to remain vigilant and report suspicious products to NAFDAC offices nationwide.
The DG also commended its partner agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for their support in enforcement operations.
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) reaffirmed its partnership with NAFDAC, describing both agencies as critical regulators in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines.
Representing the Registrar, the Head of the PCN Abuja Zonal Office, Pharmacist Jerome Ameh, said the destruction of fake products was necessary to prevent severe health consequences such as kidney damage and other complications. He called for sustained collaboration to strengthen regulatory enforcement and sanitise the pharmaceutical sector.
The Nigeria Police Force (NP), represented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Idris Yakubu, said the operation would enhance public safety by reducing the circulation of illegal products and associated criminal activity, while assuring continued police support for regulatory agencies.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kuje Division, represented by Chief Superintendent Sulieman Saidu, described the exercise as a joint effort to protect consumers and strengthen national security. He warned that counterfeit and expired products undermine public confidence and development, adding that the Corps remains committed to intelligence sharing and enforcement.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), FCT Command’s Ado Ibrahim, also reaffirmed the Service’s collaboration with NAFDAC, noting that both agencies work closely at ports and border points to intercept substandard imports before they enter the country, ensuring only safe and approved products reach the Nigerian market. Less
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed substandard, falsified, expired and unwholesome regulated products valued at ₦1,855,650,000 in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), warning that counterfeit trade poses a serious threat to public health and national security.
The destruction exercise, conducted under the 2026 FCT General Destruction Programme, covered a broad range of seized and voluntarily surrendered items.
These destroyed products included banned sachet alcohol below 200ml, narcotics, antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal products, counterfeit food items such as sachet milk, cosmetics, chemicals, medical devices and other expired regulated products.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the exercise demonstrated the agency’s commitment to permanently removing unsafe products from circulation and preventing their re-entry into the market.
She warned that the proliferation of counterfeit medicines and other unregulated products poses grave risks to public health and the economy, adding that offenders would continue to face stricter sanctions.
According to the DG who was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Dr. Iluyomade Martins, NAFDAC is intensifying enforcement operations, strengthening surveillance systems, and expanding collaboration with stakeholders to track, seize and prosecute those involved in the production and distribution of fake products.
She added that the agency is working with the National Assembly to strengthen its enabling law to impose harsher penalties, including asset forfeiture, on counterfeiters.
Adeyeye said the destruction exercise remains part of routine regulatory measures to clear unsafe products from the supply chain and prevent their redistribution to unsuspecting consumers.
She called for sustained collaboration among political, traditional and religious leaders, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and the media to curb the menace, while urging consumers to remain vigilant and report suspicious products to NAFDAC offices nationwide.
The DG also commended its partner agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for their support in enforcement operations.
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) reaffirmed its partnership with NAFDAC, describing both agencies as critical regulators in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines.
Representing the Registrar, the Head of the PCN Abuja Zonal Office, Pharmacist Jerome Ameh, said the destruction of fake products was necessary to prevent severe health consequences such as kidney damage and other complications. He called for sustained collaboration to strengthen regulatory enforcement and sanitise the pharmaceutical sector.
The Nigeria Police Force (NP), represented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Idris Yakubu, said the operation would enhance public safety by reducing the circulation of illegal products and associated criminal activity, while assuring continued police support for regulatory agencies.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kuje Division, represented by Chief Superintendent Sulieman Saidu, described the exercise as a joint effort to protect consumers and strengthen national security. He warned that counterfeit and expired products undermine public confidence and development, adding that the Corps remains committed to intelligence sharing and enforcement.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), FCT Command’s Ado Ibrahim, also reaffirmed the Service’s collaboration with NAFDAC, noting that both agencies work closely at ports and border points to intercept substandard imports before they enter the country, ensuring only safe and approved products reach the Nigerian market.
