NAFDAC Destroyed N1.5tn Fake Products Since 2023, Says DG
NAFDAC Destroyed N1.5tn Fake Products Since 2023, Says DG
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control says it has destroyed or seized more than ₦1.54tn worth of fake and substandard products across Nigeria since 2023.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this on Monday in Lagos, describing counterfeiters as “merchants of death” and reaffirming the agency’s zero-tolerance approach to fake products.
Adeyeye said coordinated raids conducted between February and March 2025 at Idumota Market in Lagos, Onitsha Market and Ariaria International Market in Aba led to the seizure and destruction of more than 137 40-foot truckloads of counterfeit and substandard products valued at over ₦1.5tn.
She said the agency had also carried out several operations targeting fake, expired and banned medicines.
In February 2026, NAFDAC destroyed more than ₦15bn worth of fake, expired, counterfeit and banned medicines in Ibadan, while another operation in Kuje, Abuja, in March destroyed products valued at ₦1.8bn.
Adeyeye said the agency destroyed expired and unregistered drugs worth ₦11bn in Ibadan in December 2024, bringing the value of the pharmaceutical products destroyed in the three operations to ₦27.8bn.
She added that NAFDAC destroyed counterfeit beverages, spirits and revalidated foods worth ₦5bn in Aba in December 2023, while a follow-up operation in December 2024 uncovered another ₦7bn worth of similar products.
The NAFDAC boss said products destroyed nationwide in 2024 alone had a street market value exceeding ₦120bn.
She also disclosed that the agency had secured 64 convictions for counterfeiting, with offenders receiving prison sentences ranging from one to seven years without the option of a fine.
Between May and July 2026, NAFDAC’s Post-Market Surveillance Directorate visited 6,233 facilities and removed 7,210 brands and products from circulation across food and water, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and other regulated categories.
Adeyeye urged Nigerians to report suspected fake or non-compliant products directly to NAFDAC rather than relying solely on social media, saying the fight against counterfeiting required collective action from regulators, businesses and the public.
Sponsored
Related stories
News
FG Seeks Balance Between Workers’ Pay Demands, Fiscal Realities
The Federal Government has called for a balance between workers’ demands for higher salaries and its financial capacity as the Nigeria Labour Congress’ two-week ultimatum approaches its deadline. The government stressed evidence-based wage policies, constructive engagement with labour and sustainable public spending.
News
Soldiers Rescue Kidnap Victim, Recover 18 Rustled Cattle in Kebbi
Troops have rescued a 40-year-old kidnap victim and recovered 18 rustled cattle following a gun battle with suspected terrorists in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping, cattle rustling and other security threats in the North-West.
News
Scrap Dealers Challenge Zulum to Prove Alleged ₦3bn Power Line Cable Theft
The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has challenged Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum to provide verifiable evidence for his allegation that metal scavengers stole electrical cables worth more than ₦3 billion. The association wants details of the project and the alleged theft, warning against blaming the entire industry without evidence.
News
Lagos APC Reaffirms Five Million Vote Target for Tinubu in 2027
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has reaffirmed its target of securing five million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. The party plans to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and hold leaders accountable through a polling-unit-based performance strategy.
Comments (0)
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before publishing. Your email is never published.