NAFDAC Destroys N1.36bn Counterfeit, Expired Products in Abuja

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) conducted the destruction of counterfeit, adulterated, and expired products valued at approximately N1.36 billion in Abuja, on Thursday.
The destruction took place at the Kuje dumpsite in the Federal Capital Territory.
In a brief remark during the exercise, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by Dr. Festus Ukadike, emphasized that this operation is a routine procedure the agency carries out across all regions of the country.
She explained that NAFDAC conducts such exercises at least once a year in every zone, depending on the volume of seizures made.
The purpose is to remove substandard, falsified, and expired NAFDAC-regulated products from the market.
“We carry out these exercises at least once a year in each zone, depending on the volume of seizures made by the agency. The goal is to eliminate substandard, falsified, and expired NAFDAC-regulated products from the supply chain,” Prof. Adeyeye stated.
In 2024, NAFDAC made significant strides in its mission, carrying out several destruction operations, including one in Lagos where products worth over N120 billion were destroyed.
These efforts are part of NAFDAC’s ongoing war against health trafficking cartels, which, according to the agency, have been found to exploit the unsuspecting public for financial gain.
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As an example, over 6,000 bags of rebagged rice were seized in Abuja, and the agency is committed to ensuring the perpetrators face severe consequences.
“Our relentless pursuit of justice against health trafficking cartels has resulted in the seizure of over 6,000 bags of rebagged rice in the FCT alone. These deceitful cartels aim to exploit and harm the unsuspecting Nigerian populace for economic gain. NAFDAC has zero tolerance for such activities and has initiated a thorough investigation to ensure that all involved face appropriate sanctions,” Prof. Adeyeye added.
The seized products destroyed during this operation included various drugs, such as controlled substances, antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal remedies, and psychoactive substances, many of which were seized from hawkers.
Food products, including cookies, vegetable oil, and beverages with foreign labels that lacked English translations, were also destroyed.
Additionally, counterfeit cosmetics like creams, lotions, pomades, and skin-lightening products from spas and beauty centers were part of the destruction.
Other confiscated items included fake medical products such as Izal, Jik, and medical devices.
“NAFDAC has significantly ramped up its post-marketing surveillance and enforcement activities to counter the threats posed by counterfeit medicines and foods to national security,” Prof. Adeyeye noted.
“The agency is proactively engaging political, traditional, and faith-based leaders, as well as journalists and the general public, to galvanise support and commitment in the fight against substandard and falsified products,” she added.
Some of the products destroyed were voluntarily submitted by organizations, including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria.
“The estimated street value of the products slated for destruction today is N1,367,000,000,” Prof. Adeyeye further stated.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), expressed his appreciation for NAFDAC’s efforts and warned manufacturers, importers, and stakeholders to adhere to regulations, emphasizing that non-compliance would not be tolerated under the current administration.
“The rules are there, the guidelines are there. If you are not sure, NAFDAC and SON are there to guide you on standards,” Dr. Okeke remarked.
“I believe we will continue to strengthen our collaboration so that Nigeria can grow, and everybody will be healthy in the interest of the country.”
Salamatu Orakwelu, the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, praised NAFDAC for its annual efforts in product destruction and assured that pharmacists would continue to support the agency’s initiatives and ensure compliance with regulatory measures.
“I commend NAFDAC for this step that you’ve been taking annually, and I assure you that as pharmacists, all measures will be taken to ensure compliance and to support your efforts,” Orakwelu stated.

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.