NAFDAC destroys N22.73bn unsafe products in eight months

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed unsafe and non-compliant products worth N22.73 billion in eight months, as it intensified its nationwide crackdown on fake drugs, adulterated food, unsafe cosmetics and other regulated products.

The agency’s enforcement drive, between January and August 2026, recorded 5,542 enforcement activities, 213 raids, 821 product seizure entries, 179 premises shut or sealed and 52 arrests.

Data from NAFDAC’s Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement also showed that the agency handled 474 new cases, concluded 295 and conducted 22 destruction exercises.

The figures highlight the scale of the challenge facing regulators as potentially harmful products continue to surface across Nigeria’s food, drug, cosmetics, beverage and chemical markets.

The agency disclosed that under the leadership of its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, it sustained operations throughout the period, with enforcement activities peaking at 1,089 in July, followed by 941 in August.

The value of destroyed products rose sharply in the second quarter, according to the agency, reaching N22.58 billion by the end of July before increasing to N22.73 billion in August.

July recorded the highest monthly destruction value at N9.03 billion, while June followed with N6.40 billion. In August, two destruction exercises accounted for products worth N157.7 million.

Cosmetics topped the product categories recorded in seizure entries, with 401, followed by drinks with 215, drugs with 112, food with 69 and chemicals with 22.

The figures suggest that the threat extends beyond counterfeit medicines to other everyday products capable of endangering public health when manufactured, stored or distributed outside required safety standards.

NAFDAC’s enforcement activities also included sanctions, investigations and legal proceedings. The agency imposed sanctions throughout the period, while cases were processed for possible prosecution and other regulatory action.

The enforcement record underscores the need for manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers to comply with registration, labelling, storage and quality requirements.

Consumers have also been urged to buy regulated products from reputable outlets, check registration details where applicable and report suspicious goods to the authorities.

While the destruction of products worth N22.73 billion demonstrates the scale of NAFDAC’s operations, it also raises concerns about the volume of unsafe goods entering the market.

The agency faces the continuing task of strengthening surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement to prevent dangerous products from reaching consumers.

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