NAFDAC Destroys ₦120 Billion Worth of Counterfeit Products in Six Months

• NAFDAC has destroyed over ₦120 billion worth of counterfeit and substandard products in six months across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones
• The agency’s operations targeted major cities, seizing fake drugs and unsafe food items to safeguard public health during the festive season

In the past six months, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed over ₦120 billion worth of counterfeit and substandard products across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement issued on Sunday, NAFDAC disclosed that its operations targeted supermarkets and markets in major cities, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Aba, Ibadan, Kaduna, and Abuja. The aim was to apprehend manufacturers and distributors of fake drugs and unwholesome food products.

“Officials from the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate (I&E), Pharmacovigilance (PV) Directorate, and Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) Directorate are actively working to remove falsified medicines, counterfeit wines, drinks, and unsafe food items that could harm public health, especially during the festive season,” the statement read.

Among its recent operations, the agency reported the destruction of unregistered and expired drugs worth ₦11 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State, on December 11, 2024.

NAFDAC seized counterfeit medicines valued at ₦300 million in November during a raid at Tyre Village, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State. Additionally, officers uncovered counterfeit alcohol packaging centers in Lagos, seizing items worth ₦2 billion.

Another significant operation occurred at Karu Market, located on the FCT-Nasarawa State border, where the agency confiscated bags of repackaged expired rice. The products seized during this raid were estimated at ₦5 billion.

NAFDAC continues its nationwide crackdown to safeguard public health and ensure the safety of food and drug products available in the market.