The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed more than 618 tonnes of fake, counterfeit, substandard and expired regulated products valued at ₦10.19 billion in Kano State, in a major crackdown aimed at safeguarding public health.
The large-scale destruction exercise, carried out at the North-West zonal level, took place at the Kalibawa Destruction Site along the Daura–Danbata Road in Kano. It covered a wide range of illicit items, including medicines, food products, cosmetics, agrochemicals and medical devices that had been adjudged unsafe for public consumption and use.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, described the exercise as a landmark achievement in pharmaceutical and product regulation in Nigeria. She was represented by the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Mr Dadi Nantim Mullah.
Professor Adeyeye said the destruction sent a strong signal to individuals and organisations involved in the production and distribution of dangerous products. “This destruction represents not just enforcement, but a clear message that the era of impunity for those endangering Nigerian lives with fake and substandard products is coming to an end,” she stated.
She disclosed that the seized items included counterfeit antibiotics, anti-malarials and anti-hypertensives; adulterated food products such as vegetable oil and sachet water; hazardous cosmetic products; fake agrochemicals; and compromised medical devices. According to her, these products pose serious risks to public health and undermine confidence in the healthcare and regulatory system.
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The NAFDAC boss warned manufacturers, importers and distributors involved in such illegal activities that the agency’s surveillance and enforcement mechanisms had become more sophisticated and far-reaching. She stressed that offenders would face severe legal consequences in line with existing laws.
Professor Adeyeye also highlighted Nigeria’s recent achievement of the World Health Organisation’s Maturity Level 3 status, as well as the country’s admission into the International Council for Harmonisation. She described these developments as significant milestones that have enhanced global confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory framework. “Our target is WHO Maturity Level 4. With sustained political will and regulatory discipline, this goal is achievable,” she added.
In his remarks, Mr Mullah revealed that the prevalence of unregistered, fake and counterfeit regulated products nationwide had dropped significantly, from about 46 per cent to less than six per cent. He explained that the volume of products destroyed should not be interpreted as an increase in market circulation, but rather as evidence of intensified enforcement and improved regulatory effectiveness.
He noted that the confiscated products were recovered through direct enforcement operations, voluntary handovers by organisations and distributors, as well as collaboration with security agencies.
NAFDAC commended the Kano State Government, the Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force, professional bodies and trade associations for their continued support. The agency called for sustained inter-agency collaboration to completely rid Nigerian markets of counterfeit and substandard products.
Members of the public were urged to remain vigilant, avoid purchasing medicines from unlicensed vendors, and report suspicious products through NAFDAC’s official channels.
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