NAFDAC has destroyed over 618 tonnes of fake and expired products worth ₦10.19bn in Kano as part of public health protection efforts

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 valued at ₦10.19 billion in Kano State.

Also read: FG declares breakthrough as federal civil service goes paperless

The destruction exercise, conducted at the Kalibawa Destruction Site along Daura/Danbata Road, was carried out at the North-West zonal level to safeguard public health and curb the circulation of dangerous products.

Items destroyed included illicit medicines, food products, cosmetics, agrochemicals, and medical devices.

Speaking at the event, the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Mr Dadi Nantim Mullah, described the exercise 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,” Adeyeye said.

She disclosed that the seized items included counterfeit antibiotics, anti-malarials, and anti-hypertensives; adulterated food items such as vegetable oil and sachet water; hazardous cosmetics; fake agrochemicals; and compromised medical devices.

Adeyeye warned manufacturers, importers, and distributors involved in such illegal activities that NAFDAC’s surveillance and enforcement mechanisms had become more robust, adding that offenders would face severe legal consequences.

The NAFDAC boss also highlighted Nigeria’s recent attainment of the World Health Organisation’s Maturity Level 3 status and the country’s admission into the International Council for Harmonisation 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.

In his remarks, Mullah stated that the prevalence of unregistered, fake, and counterfeit products nationwide had dropped significantly from about 46 per cent to less than six per cent.

“The large volume of products destroyed today reflects increased enforcement activities and improved effectiveness, not an increase in market prevalence,” he said.

He explained that the 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 Force, professional bodies, and trade associations, and called for sustained collaboration to eliminate counterfeit and unwholesome products from Nigerian markets.

Also read: Ecuador Footballer Mario Pineida Shot Dead in Guayaquil

The agency also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, avoid purchasing medicines from unlicensed vendors, and report suspicious products through its official channels.