The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed that it destroyed counterfeit products worth over ₦120 billion between July and December 2024. The agency carried out this operation across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in its ongoing battle against substandard and fake goods.
In a statement issued on Sunday by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted these efforts as part of measures to safeguard public health, especially during the festive season.
Nationwide Crackdown on Counterfeits
The crackdown included the destruction of expired drugs, unregistered medicines, falsified food products, and counterfeit alcoholic beverages. Specific operations included:
- Ibadan: NAFDAC destroyed counterfeit and expired drugs valued at ₦11 billion in December 2024.
- Lagos: The agency seized billions of naira worth of fake alcoholic beverages and falsified medicines.
- Nasarawa State: A factory packaging counterfeit rice was uncovered, leading to the confiscation of over 1,600 bags worth ₦5 billion.
- Aba, Abia State: NAFDAC shut down 150 shops involved in the large-scale production of counterfeit goods, including beverages, spirits, and revalidated food items, with a market value of ₦5 billion.
These activities were part of NAFDAC’s broader efforts to ensure Nigerians have access only to safe and quality products during the festive period and beyond.
Public Safety Advisory
Prof. Adeyeye advised Nigerians to remain vigilant when purchasing food, drinks, and medicines, urging them to patronize outlets with identifiable addresses to aid tracking and accountability. She cautioned against buying products without NAFDAC registration numbers or those priced unusually low, which could indicate compromise in quality.
“Officers from the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, as well as the Pharmacovigilance and Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorates, are actively confiscating falsified medicines, fake wines, and unwholesome food products that could jeopardize public health,” she noted.
Commitment to Quality and Safety
The agency reiterated its dedication to eliminating counterfeit goods and ensuring that only safe and quality products are available in the Nigerian market. Prof. Adeyeye described counterfeiters as “merchants of death” and vowed to intensify efforts to drive them out of business.
This crackdown is part of NAFDAC’s ongoing mission to protect public health and promote consumer confidence, particularly during the yuletide season when demand for food and beverages spikes. Prof. Adeyeye assured Nigerians that NAFDAC’s vigilance would continue, promising decisive actions against those endangering lives through the distribution of substandard products.
