The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reported the destruction of counterfeit and substandard products worth over ₦120 billion in a span of just six months. The seizures were made across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), targeting fake medicines, counterfeit foods, and beverages between October and December 2024.
In a statement marking the Christmas and New Year celebrations, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, urged Nigerians to be vigilant when purchasing food and drinks, stressing the importance of buying only from credible outlets and ensuring products carry NAFDAC registration numbers.
Prof. Adeyeye warned that products sold at unusually low prices are often substandard or counterfeit. “If a product is too cheap, it is most likely compromised,” she cautioned.
The agency’s enforcement officers, especially those from the Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) Directorate, have been working tirelessly to remove harmful products from the market. In collaboration with the Pharmacovigilance (PV) and Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) Directorates, NAFDAC teams have been actively engaged in the field, targeting falsified medicines, counterfeit wines, and dangerous food items.
Recent operations include major seizures across cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Aba, Ibadan, Kaduna, and Abuja. Notable actions include the destruction of expired and unregistered drugs valued at ₦11 billion in Ibadan on December 11; a raid at the Tyre Village, Trade Fair Complex led to the seizure of fake medicines worth ₦300 million, while counterfeit alcohol packaging centers were dismantled, and goods valued at ₦2 billion were confiscated in Lagos back in November.
Earlier this month in Nasarawa State, the agency seized expired and counterfeit rice worth ₦5 billion at Karu Market and sealed a factory and shops in Karu.
There is also the confiscation of over 1,600 bags of counterfeit rice worth ₦5 billion from Wuse and Garki markets in December and a two-day operation in Aba that uncovered a large-scale production of counterfeit beverages, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items like noodles, powdered milk, and yogurt, valued at ₦5 billion.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that the agency will intensify its fight against the distribution of substandard products, warning that 2025 will see even stricter enforcement measures.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians to be cautious when purchasing products, ensuring they come from reputable sources and are NAFDAC-registered. The agency advised against buying items that are sold at prices significantly lower than market standards, as they are likely to be counterfeit.
