18th December, 2025.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has eliminated over 618 tonnes of counterfeit, expired, and substandard regulated products valued at ₦10.19 billion in Kano State.
The operation, conducted at the Kalibawa Destruction Site along Daura/Danbata Road on Thursday, targeted illicit medicines, unwholesome food items, hazardous cosmetics, fake agrochemicals, and compromised medical devices seized across the North-West geopolitical zone.
Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, speaking through Mr. Dadi Nantim Mullah, the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, described the exercise as a decisive step in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical regulation evolution.
“This destruction represents enforcement and sends an unmistakable signal that the era of impunity for those endangering Nigerian lives with fake products is ending,” Professor Adeyeye stated.
The destroyed products included counterfeit antibiotics, anti-malarial drugs, anti-hypertensive medications, adulterated vegetable oil, contaminated sachet water, dangerous cosmetics, fake agrochemicals, and compromised medical devices.
Professor Adeyeye issued stern warnings to manufacturers, importers, and distributors engaged in producing or selling counterfeit products, emphasizing that NAFDAC’s surveillance and enforcement systems have been significantly strengthened.
The NAFDAC Director-General highlighted Nigeria’s recent achievement of World Health Organisation Maturity Level 3 status and acceptance into the International Council for Harmonisation as major regulatory milestones that have enhanced confidence in the country’s regulatory framework.
“Our goal is WHO Maturity Level 4. With sustained political commitment and regulatory discipline, this target is within reach,” she noted.
Mr. Mullah revealed that the prevalence of unregistered, fake, and counterfeit products nationwide has declined dramatically from approximately 46 per cent to below six per cent.
“The substantial volume of products destroyed today demonstrates enhanced enforcement effectiveness and improved regulatory capacity, not an increase in market prevalence,” Mr. Mullah explained.
According to him, the seized products were obtained through direct enforcement raids, voluntary surrenders by compliant organizations and distributors, and collaborative operations with security agencies.
NAFDAC commended the Kano State Government, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, professional associations, and trade bodies for their partnership in combating counterfeit and unwholesome products.
The agency urged Nigerians to exercise vigilance, refrain from purchasing medicines from unlicensed vendors, and report suspicious products through NAFDAC’s official reporting channels.