The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed over 618 tonnes of fake, counterfeit, substandard, and expired regulated products worth N10.19 billion in Kano State.
The destruction exercise, conducted at the North-West zonal level, aimed at safeguarding public health and curbing the circulation of dangerous products.
It targeted illicit medicines, food products, cosmetics, agrochemicals, and medical devices.
Speaking at the exercise which took place at the Kalibawa Destruction Site along Daura/Danbata Road, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, described the operation as a landmark achievement in pharmaceutical regulation.
“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 said.
Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Mr. Dadi Nantim Mullah, added that the seized items included counterfeit antibiotics, anti-malarials, anti-hypertensives, adulterated food items such as vegetable oil and sachet water, hazardous cosmetics, fake agrochemicals, and compromised medical devices.
She warned manufacturers, importers, and distributors involved in such activities that NAFDAC’s surveillance and enforcement mechanisms had been strengthened, stressing that violators would face severe legal consequences.
The NAFDAC boss also highlighted Nigeria’s recent attainment of World Health Organisation (WHO) Maturity Level 3 status and the country’s admission into the International Council for Harmonisation, describing these as milestones that have strengthened confidence in the nation’s regulatory system.
“Our target is WHO Maturity Level 4. With sustained political will and regulatory discipline, this goal is achievable,” she said.
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The Zonal director, Mullah, revealed that the prevalence of unregistered, fake, and counterfeit products had dropped nationwide from about 46 per cent to less than six per cent.
He explained that the large volume of products destroyed reflected improved enforcement activities, not an increase in market prevalence.
The seized items were recovered through direct enforcement operations, voluntary handovers by organisations and distributors, and collaborations with security agencies.
NAFDAC acknowledged the support of the Kano State Government, the Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigeria Police, professional bodies, and trade associations, urging sustained collaboration to eliminate counterfeit and unwholesome products from Nigerian markets.
The agency also advised the public to remain vigilant, avoid purchasing medicines from unlicensed vendors, and report suspicious products through official channels.
