The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed over 618 tonnes of fake, counterfeit, substandard and expired products valued at ₦10.19 billion in Kano State, in one of its largest coordinated enforcement actions in the North-West.
The destruction exercise, which covered illicit medicines, food products, cosmetics, agrochemicals and medical devices, was carried out at the Kalibawa Destruction Site along the Daura–Danbata Road as part of NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and eliminate dangerous products from circulation.
Speaking at the event, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, said the exercise sent a strong warning to manufacturers, importers and distributors involved in the production and sale of fake and substandard goods.
“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 was represented by the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Mr. Dadi Nantim Mullah.
According to Adeyeye, the items destroyed included counterfeit antibiotics, anti-malarial and anti-hypertensive drugs, as well as adulterated food products such as vegetable oil and sachet water. Other items included hazardous cosmetics, fake agrochemicals and compromised medical devices, all of which she said posed serious risks to public health and safety.
She warned that NAFDAC’s surveillance and enforcement mechanisms had become significantly more robust, stressing that offenders would face stiff legal sanctions.
“Manufacturers, importers and distributors who choose to undermine public safety should be aware that NAFDAC is watching, and violators will be held fully accountable,” she said.
The NAFDAC boss also highlighted recent international recognition of Nigeria’s regulatory system, noting that the country had attained the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Maturity Level 3 status and gained admission into the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH).
“These milestones have strengthened global confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory framework,” Adeyeye said. “Our next target is WHO Maturity Level 4, and with sustained political will and regulatory discipline, this goal is achievable.”
In his remarks, Mullah said the widespread destruction of products should not be interpreted as increased circulation of fake goods, but rather as evidence of stronger enforcement.
“The prevalence of unregistered, fake and counterfeit products has dropped significantly nationwide—from about 46 per cent to less than six per cent,” he said.
“The large volume of products destroyed today reflects improved effectiveness and intensified enforcement activities, not an increase in market prevalence.”
He explained that the seized items were recovered through direct enforcement operations, voluntary handovers by organisations and distributors, and joint operations with security agencies, including the Nigerian Customs Service and the Nigeria Police.
NAFDAC commended the Kano State Government, security agencies, professional bodies and trade associations for their cooperation, calling for sustained inter-agency collaboration to permanently rid Nigerian markets of counterfeit and substandard products.
The agency also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, avoid purchasing medicines from unlicensed vendors, and report suspicious products through NAFDAC’s official reporting channels.
NAFDAC said the Kano destruction exercise forms part of a nationwide campaign to protect consumers and reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory system.