The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed fake, banned, expired, substandard and falsified medical products, foods and other regulated items with an estimated street value of ₦55.4 billion, as part of renewed efforts to protect public health and sanitise Nigeria’s markets.
Gatekeepers News reports that the general destruction exercise took place at the Moniya Dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State, and was flagged off by the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Christiana Mojisola Adeyeye.
Adeyeye, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Lagos, Pharm. Florence Ubah, described the exercise as a routine but critical aspect of the agency’s regulatory mandate.
She said NAFDAC remained committed to eliminating substandard and falsified (SF) medical products, illicit drugs, unwholesome foods, unsafe cosmetics, chemicals, medical devices and other violative products from circulation.
“NAFDAC has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the health of every Nigerian is safeguarded. This destruction exercise is a key strategy aimed at preventing expired, substandard and falsified medical products, as well as other unsafe and unwholesome regulated items, from being reintroduced into the market,” she stated.
According to the Director General, items destroyed during the exercise included substandard and falsified medicines, unwholesome processed food products and additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeits and other expired NAFDAC-regulated products seized from manufacturers, importers and distributors nationwide.
She added that the destruction also covered damaged and expired products voluntarily submitted by over 70 compliant companies, non-governmental organisations and trade unions, noting that such cooperation reflected growing awareness and shared responsibility among stakeholders.
“This voluntary compliance is commendable and reflects a collective resolve to protect Nigerians from harmful products,” Adeyeye said.
The DG disclosed that the estimated street value of the destroyed items stood at ₦55,436,844,470, underscoring the scale of the illegal trade in fake and substandard products and the serious risks they pose to public health and safety.
Adeyeye commended sister security and regulatory agencies for their support, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria.
She stressed that NAFDAC could not win the fight against fake and unsafe products alone, urging religious and community leaders, health professionals, the media and the public to intensify advocacy and awareness.
“I urge all Nigerians to educate their families and wards on the dangers of patronising quacks and unauthorised medicine and food dealers. This fight is a collective responsibility,” she said.
Adeyeye assured that the agency would continue to strengthen surveillance, enforcement and stakeholder engagement to ensure that only safe, quality and effective products are available in the country.
The destruction exercise, witnessed by representatives of government agencies, industry stakeholders and the media, underscored the Federal Government’s zero tolerance for fake, expired and substandard products as NAFDAC intensifies efforts to safeguard lives and restore public confidence in regulated products nationwide.
