NAFDAC Intensifies Crackdown: Destroys ₦120 Billion In Substandard Food And Medicines

Discover how NAFDAC destroyed ₦120 billion worth of fake food and medicine in a nationwide crackdown. Learn about their renewed efforts to safeguard public health.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reinforced its commitment to safeguarding public health by destroying substandard food and medicines worth over ₦120 billion across Nigeria. This operation, which took place between October and December 2024, spanned the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), targeting counterfeit and expired products.

A Nationwide Enforcement Operation

NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized that offenders exploiting Nigerians’ trust by compromising the quality of food and medicines would face severe consequences in 2025.

During the festive season, NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement (I&E), Pharmacovigilance (PV), and Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) Directorates actively combated falsified products. Their efforts included removing counterfeit medicines, fake alcoholic beverages, and substandard food from markets in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Aba, Ibadan, Kaduna, and Abuja, among others.

Highlights of Recent Raids

Destruction of Expired Drugs in Ibadan:
On December 11, 2024, expired and unregistered drugs valued at ₦11 billion were incinerated in Oyo State.
Raids in Lagos:
- In November, officials seized ₦300 million worth of fake medicines at Tyre Village, Lagos.
- Counterfeit alcohol packaging centers were also shut down, with goods worth ₦2 billion confiscated.
Nasarawa Operations:
- Officers raided Karu Market, seizing repackaged expired rice worth about ₦5 billion.
- Eight shops and a factory were sealed on Abacha Road, where counterfeit rice was being distributed.
Aba Market Clampdown:
A two-day operation on December 16 and 17, 2024, revealed large-scale production of fake beverages, powdered milk, and revalidated food products, valued at ₦5 billion.
Southwest Region:
Expired, counterfeit, and smuggled goods worth over ₦10.9 billion were destroyed across five states and Kwara State.

Protecting Nigerians This Festive Season

Prof. Adeyeye called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and prioritize purchasing goods from verified outlets. She advised against buying products without NAFDAC registration numbers, as overly cheap items are often substandard.

The Director General reiterated that NAFDAC’s intensified operations aim to protect citizens from unwholesome products during the festive season and beyond. She warned merchants of counterfeit goods that the coming year would bring heightened enforcement to ensure public safety.

Public Health at the Forefront

NAFDAC’s efforts are a critical step toward eliminating counterfeit and substandard goods from Nigerian markets. The agency remains resolute in its mission to safeguard public health and ensure only safe, high-quality food and medicines reach consumers.