NIGERIA- The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, expired, and substandard regulated products valued at over ₦1.8 billion in Abuja, reinforcing its nationwide campaign against unsafe goods.
The destruction exercise took place at the Kuje dumpsite in the Federal Capital Territory, where seized medicines, cosmetics, food items, and other regulated products were permanently eliminated to prevent them from re-entering the market.
According to the agency, the operation covered items such as falsified drugs, expired medicines, unregistered cosmetics, banned substances, and other hazardous consumables considered dangerous to public health.
Speaking during the exercise, NAFDAC leadership explained that the move was part of ongoing efforts to protect Nigerians from the risks associated with counterfeit and substandard products. The agency also stressed that the destroyed items were either seized during enforcement operations or voluntarily surrendered by compliant organisations and stakeholders.
A senior official representing the Director-General noted that the exercise demonstrates the agency’s determination to ensure that unsafe products are completely removed from circulation.
“What we are doing here today is to ensure these counterfeit and expired products are not recycled back into the system,” the official said.
NAFDAC reiterated that similar enforcement and destruction exercises are conducted regularly across the country as part of its regulatory mandate.
The agency further warned traders and importers involved in the distribution of fake or expired goods to desist, stressing that such practices pose serious risks to public health and national safety.
The destruction exercise underscores Nigeria’s ongoing battle against counterfeit pharmaceuticals and substandard consumer goods, which continue to threaten public confidence in the supply chain.
