The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed counterfeit, adulterated, and unregistered food, drug, and cosmetic products valued at approximately N1.37 billion. The items were seized across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and destroyed at the Kuje dumpsite.
In a brief statement during the exercise, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized that the destruction of substandard products is a routine operation carried out by the agency across all regions of Nigeria. Adeyeye, represented by Dr. Festus Ukadike, the agency’s Director, explained that these exercises are held at least once annually, depending on the volume of seizures.
“We conduct these exercises to eliminate falsified, substandard, and expired products from the supply chain,” she said. “In 2024 alone, NAFDAC made significant progress, seizing and destroying over N120 billion worth of counterfeit food products, as part of our ongoing commitment to public health safety.”
Adeyeye highlighted the agency’s significant achievements in 2024, including the seizure of over 6,000 bags of rebagged rice in the FCT. These illegal activities are driven by health trafficking cartels that seek to exploit vulnerable Nigerians for economic gain. NAFDAC has vowed to intensify efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The products destroyed today were seized during NAFDAC’s operations in the FCT and neighboring areas, as well as from compliant companies and organizations,” she continued.
Among the products destroyed were psychoactive and controlled substances, antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal snuff, and various remedies, including products confiscated from street hawkers. Food items destroyed included cookies, vegetable oil, non-alcoholic beverages, and products with foreign-language labels lacking English translations. Cosmetics such as creams, lotions, pomades, skin-lightening products, and fake medical devices like Izal and Jik were also included.
NAFDAC’s enforcement activities have been ramped up to counter the growing threat posed by counterfeit products to national security. The agency is proactively engaging with political, traditional, faith-based leaders, as well as journalists, to garner broader support in the fight against substandard goods.
The estimated street value of the products destroyed on Thursday was N1.37 billion. In addition, several expired and unwholesome products were voluntarily submitted for destruction by non-governmental organizations and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), commended NAFDAC for its ongoing efforts. He warned manufacturers, importers, and other stakeholders that non-compliance with regulations would not be tolerated under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The rules and guidelines are clear. If you’re unsure, NAFDAC and SON are here to guide you on standards,” Okeke, represented by SON FCT Coordinator Gamagira Mohammed, stated. “We are strengthening our collaboration to ensure Nigeria’s growth and the health of our citizens.”
Salamatu Orakwelu, Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), FCT Chapter, also praised NAFDAC for its ongoing efforts and assured the agency of the pharmacists’ support in ensuring compliance with regulations.
