NAFDAC destroys fake, expired, and smuggled products worth over N10.9bn

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday carried out the destruction of expired, unregistered, counterfeit, and smuggled products valued at a staggering N10.9 billion.

The incineration took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, with products seized from five Southwest states (excluding Lagos) and Kwara State.

Represented by Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, Director of NAFDAC’s South West Zone, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasised the importance of the exercise in protecting public health by ensuring that illicit products do not re-enter the market.

“The goal of this exercise is to reassure the public that the confiscated products are being properly disposed of under strict supervision, and not diverted for personal use,” Ajayi said.

The destruction event took place at a dumpsite approved by the Oyo State government, carefully selected to minimize environmental pollution.

Among the key stakeholders in attendance were the Chairman of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Akin Fagbemi, and officials from various agencies including the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Police (NP), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The products destroyed were seized during raids from various warehouses, retail outlets, and through voluntary forfeiture by drug distribution channels.

These items included expired medicines, counterfeit and unregistered products, as well as smuggled goods from overseas. The total value of the destroyed products amounted to N10,991,458,374.60.

Prof. Adeyeye’s representative noted, “The destruction today is part of NAFDAC’s broader strategy to rid the country of substandard and harmful products. This is essential in safeguarding the health of Nigerians.”

She reiterated her call for greater public collaboration in this critical effort.