Leading the destruction exercise, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Festus Ukadike, said the agency seized the products during enforcement operations in the FCT and surrounding areas. Some items were also handed over by compliant companies and organizations.
Abuja, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake and expired products worth ₦1.3 billion in Abuja. The exercise took place at the Kuje dumpsite in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The destroyed items included a wide range of drugs such as psychoactive and controlled substances, antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal remedies, and herbal snuff, many of which were confiscated from street hawkers. Additionally, food products such as cookies, vegetable oil, non-alcoholic beverages, and items from supermarkets with foreign-language labels lacking English translations were also incinerated.
Cosmetic products, including skin-lightening creams, lotions, pomades, and fake versions of popular cleaning agents like Izal and Jik, were among the items destroyed. Medical devices and expired products voluntarily submitted by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria also formed part of the haul.
Leading the destruction exercise, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Festus Ukadike, said the agency seized the products during enforcement operations in the FCT and surrounding areas. Some items were also handed over by compliant companies and organizations.
“The estimated street value of the products destroyed today is ₦1,367,000,000,” Prof. Adeyeye disclosed. She added that the agency had intensified post-marketing surveillance and enforcement activities to combat the threats posed by counterfeit and substandard medicines and foods to public health and national security.
Prof. Adeyeye highlighted the agency’s efforts in 2024, during which several destruction exercises were carried out across Nigeria. In Lagos alone, products worth over ₦120 billion were destroyed, she said.
She also noted the seizure of over 6,000 bags of rebagged rice in the FCT. “These deceitful cartels aim to exploit and harm unsuspecting Nigerians for economic gain. NAFDAC has zero tolerance for such activities and has initiated investigations to ensure that all those involved face appropriate sanctions,” she added.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and warned against the production, sale, and distribution of counterfeit and unwholesome products in the country.
Join our Channel...