NAFDAC Destroys Fake, Expired Products Worth Over N10bn in Kano
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed 618 tonnes of fake, counterfeit, substandard, expired and unwholesome regulated products valued at over ₦10.19 billion in Kano State.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this on Thursday during the public destruction exercise carried out in the state, describing the action as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard public health.
Represented at the event by the Director of NAFDAC, North-West Zone, Mr. Fraden Nantim-Mullah, Adeyeye said the exercise went beyond routine enforcement, stressing that it sent a strong signal that impunity in the production and distribution of dangerous products would no longer be tolerated.
She explained that NAFDAC, established under Act Cap N1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, is mandated to regulate and control food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and related products to ensure their safety, quality and efficacy.
“Our mandate is clear and unequivocal: to ensure that every regulated product available to Nigerians meets stringent safety and quality standards,” she said. “Today’s exercise underscores our unwavering commitment to enforcing this mandate without compromise.”
Adeyeye warned manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers involved in the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products that the agency’s surveillance and enforcement mechanisms remained robust, noting that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
According to her, the destroyed items were seized from unscrupulous operators across the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and chemical sectors. These included counterfeit medicines such as antibiotics, anti-malarials, antihypertensives, analgesics, herbal remedies and controlled psychoactive substances.
Other products destroyed comprised adulterated vegetable oils, contaminated beverages, unsafe sachet water, substandard condiments, falsified tomato paste and hazardous cosmetic products containing dangerous chemical compounds.
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She added that fake agrochemicals, including insecticides and pesticides that pose a threat to food security, as well as counterfeit medical devices such as diagnostic kits and compromised infusion equipment, were also destroyed.
“Each of these products represents a direct assault on public health. Those behind them are not merely violating regulations; they are endangering lives and undermining Nigeria’s health security,” Adeyeye stated.
The NAFDAC boss also highlighted Nigeria’s attainment of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Maturity Level 3 status, describing it as evidence of a stable and effective regulatory system. She said the agency was working towards achieving WHO Maturity Level 4, with the support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, to position NAFDAC as a world-class regulatory authority.
On the economic impact, Adeyeye noted that removing substandard and falsified products from circulation would lower healthcare costs, boost productivity and contribute to national economic growth.
She commended stakeholders for their support, including compliant pharmaceutical companies that voluntarily surrendered expired products, as well as the Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Command.
Other stakeholders acknowledged included the Nigeria Police Force, Kano State Government, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), National Association of Proprietary and Patent Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), non-governmental organisations and trade unions.
Reiterating NAFDAC’s zero-tolerance stance on regulatory violations, Adeyeye urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by avoiding the purchase of medicines from unlicensed hawkers and street vendors, and to report suspicious products through the agency’s reporting channels.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, represented by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Kano State Ministry of Health, Mr. Kamilu Yakasai, commended NAFDAC for the initiative. He said the destruction of seized and expired products was necessary to prevent them from re-entering the market and harming unsuspecting citizens.
Yakasai assured that the Kano State Government would continue to collaborate with NAFDAC to protect public health and enhance healthcare delivery in the state.
Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant stakeholders were present at the destruction exercise.
By PRNigeria
