By Obasola Olatunde
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, substandard, and expired products valued at over ₦20 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of renewed efforts to cleanse the Nigerian market of unsafe goods.
The destruction exercise, held on Thursday at the Moniya dumpsite, was supervised by the agency’s Director General, Prof Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, who was represented by Mrs Florence Uba, Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Apapa, Lagos.
Adeyeye explained that the products destroyed included fake medical items, unsafe processed foods, adulterated cosmetics, expired additives, and other confiscated goods seized from manufacturers, importers, and distributors during recent enforcement operations.
She noted that damaged and expired goods voluntarily surrendered by compliant companies, trade associations, and non-governmental organisations were also among those destroyed. “The estimated street value of the products being disposed of is ₦20 billion,” she said, reaffirming the agency’s dedication to protecting public health and preventing such items from returning to the market.
The NAFDAC chief appealed to community leaders, healthcare professionals, religious figures, and journalists to step up public education on the risks of patronising unregistered pharmaceutical outlets and street drug vendors.
She commended the Nigeria Customs Service for handing over more than 25 containers of confiscated goods for destruction, and expressed appreciation to the Police, Army, DSS, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, and other partner agencies for their continued support.
“Together, we can safeguard the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians,” Adeyeye concluded.
Representatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Police, DSS, Immigration Service, and the Federal Ministry of Health were present at the event.