Health

NAFDAC destroys fake, expired drugs, food worth N500 million

Published

2 years ago

October 19, 2023

NAFDAC destroys fake, expired drugs, food worth N500 million

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday destroyed fake and expired goods worth over N500 million in Abuja.

Speaking during the exercise, the Director-General (DG) of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that some of the goods were also voluntarily submitted to the agency.

Represented by Francis Ononiwu, NAFDAC director of Investigation and Enforcement, the DG stated that the exercise is carried out routinely all over the country.

The NAFDAC boss said that the destruction of the products was done to prevent their re-introduction to the supply chain.

Mrs Adeyeye listed some of the products destroyed as drugs made up of psychoactive and controlled substances like antibiotics, antihypertensive, antimalarials, herbal snuff and herbal remedies, and drugs confiscated from drug hawkers.

She also listed the food products such as Spaghetti, vegetable oil, and non-alcoholic beverages, including a 1 by 40ft container of unregistered Faurecia instant-powered milk that was handed over to the agency by the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS).

Others were cosmetics such as creams, lotion, and pomade, including skin-lightening creams seized from SPAS and beauty centres, chemicals such as fake insecticides and medical devices.
Also destroyed were expired and unwholesome products voluntarily handed over for destruction by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the Association of Community Pharmacy of Nigeria (ACPN).

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According to the NAFDAC boss, the estimated street value of the products being destroyed is N535 million.
“I have said it on several platforms that drug counterfeiting is an act of economic sabotage, and it also represents a serious threat to public health, and NAFDAC under my watch has been repositioned to fight this menace.

”The agency has adapted proactive approach by engaging political, traditional, faith leaders, journalists and other Nigerians to sensitise their wards on the dangers of dealing with substandard and falsified medicine.

“I wish to use this medium to urge all and sundry to be on the lookout for spurious and counterfeit medicines, unwholesome foods and other regulated products and report same to NAFDAC,” she said.

NAFDAC and security officials during the destruction Isiaku Gamajira, FCT Coordinator, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), stated that NAFDAC is a sister agency when it comes to the regulation of products, hence the reason why SON was at the event.

He noted that many people lack education on how to get certification for their products, stressing that it is the reason why most goods from Nigeria are rejected abroad.

“We are aware of government policy on zero rejection of Nigeria products, we have a policy called product certification in which a certificate is issued on products made in Nigeria that are to be exported.

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“In doing all these, we ensure that we key into the principle set up in line with the government of the exporting country, and issue a certificate of performance to avoid Nigeria’s product rejection when they get to the point of entry.
“We have offices all over the country where information about product certification can be gotten, our addresses are also available online for you to reach out to us.

“We provide people with proper guidance when they approach us, SON has been carrying out its compliance activities among which is the seizure of substandard products. We have just destroyed tyres.

“Tyre is a product which lives depend on and SON has a serious interest when it comes to compliance action, seizure in that regard, on September 29, SON destroyed a lot of tyres and these are some of the things we do.

“Most of these tyres are imported, it is our own commonwealth, If you see the quantum of what we have destroyed in the last few months, you will be surprised,” Gamajira said.

Enejoh Amade, chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), FCT Chapter, said his association would continue to support NAFDAC to rid the country of substandard drugs.

He said that his association had partnered with NAFDAC on the exercise by bringing some expired drugs collected from members of ACPN.

NAFDAC destroys fake, expired drugs, food worth N500 million

Health

NUFBTE Workers Occupy NAFDAC Lagos Office Over Sachet Alcohol Ban

Published

5 days ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

NUFBTE Workers Occupy NAFDAC Lagos Office Over Sachet Alcohol Ban

Members of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) on Thursday staged a protest at the NAFDAC office in Isolo, Lagos, demanding the reversal of the agency’s ban on sachet and PET-bottled alcoholic beverages. The union claims the ban contradicts a directive reportedly issued by the Federal Government, and they want production lines that were sealed to be immediately reopened.

The protesters, including manufacturers, distributors, and industry workers, argued that the enforcement of the ban threatens jobs, livelihoods, and the operations of small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on sachet alcohol sales. During the demonstration, union members handed a petition to NAFDAC officials, urging dialogue and a more balanced approach that safeguards both public health and the food and beverage sector.

NUFBTE cited alleged instructions from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser, claiming that NAFDAC should suspend enforcement. The union said continued closure of production lines and restriction of alcohol sales would lead to economic hardship and widespread job losses.

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However, NAFDAC rejected the claims, with Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye stating that no federal directive has instructed the agency to halt the ban. In a statement, the regulator described circulating reports as “false” and “misleading,” emphasizing that its actions are within statutory authority and in line with official government policies.

“NAFDAC has not received any formal directive to suspend its regulatory or enforcement activities concerning sachet alcohol,” the statement read. The agency reiterated its commitment to public health protection, regulatory compliance, and consumer safety, warning the public and industry stakeholders to rely on verified information from official channels.

The ban, implemented earlier this month, targets alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and containers smaller than 200ml, a measure aimed at reducing unregulated alcohol consumption and protecting vulnerable groups. While the policy has faced backlash from workers and businesses, NAFDAC maintains that it is necessary for national health and safety.

The protest underscores the tension between regulatory enforcement and economic concerns, as workers continue to call for inclusive policymaking and engagement with industry stakeholders to mitigate the impact on jobs and local businesses.

NUFBTE Workers Occupy NAFDAC Lagos Office Over Sachet Alcohol Ban

Health

NAFDAC Clarifies: No Government Directive to Halt Sachet Alcohol Enforcement

Published

6 days ago

February 11, 2026

Trends Admin

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

NAFDAC Clarifies: No Government Directive to Halt Sachet Alcohol Enforcement

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed reports claiming that the Federal Government ordered a suspension of its enforcement activities against sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic beverages, describing the reports as “false and misleading.”

In a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency clarified that it has not received any formal communication from the Federal Government instructing it to halt regulatory or enforcement operations. NAFDAC stressed that all its actions are carried out within its statutory mandate and guided by existing laws and official government directives.

“The said publication is false, misleading, and does not reflect any official communication received by the Agency from the Federal Government,” the statement read. Prof. Adeyeye reiterated that enforcement of regulations on sachet alcohol remains active and any changes to national regulatory policies would be officially communicated through authorised channels.

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NAFDAC warned that the spread of unverified information can cause public confusion, economic uncertainty, and misinterpretation of government policy. The agency urged the public, industry stakeholders, and the media to rely only on verified information released via its official platforms and government communication channels.

The clarification comes amid ongoing concerns over the public health risks of sachet alcohol, which has been associated with poisoning incidents and misuse, particularly among young people. NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to protecting public health, ensuring compliance in the food and beverage sector, and maintaining national interest while carrying out its regulatory duties.

The agency’s statement underscores that all enforcement operations targeting unsafe alcohol products will continue without interruption, aiming to safeguard consumers and uphold public safety.

NAFDAC Clarifies: No Government Directive to Halt Sachet Alcohol Enforcement

Health

FG Ends ‘No Work, No Pay’, Clears January Salaries After 84-Day JOHESU Strike

Published

6 days ago

February 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako

FG Ends ‘No Work, No Pay’, Clears January Salaries After 84-Day JOHESU Strike

The Federal Government has officially lifted the “No Work, No Pay” directive imposed during the 84-day nationwide strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and approved the immediate payment of January 2026 salaries for all affected health workers.

The decision followed the suspension of the industrial action after a successful conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and JOHESU leadership, prompting the union to direct its members nationwide to resume work in the interest of patients, health system stability, and national public health security.

In a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ado Bako, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the resolution reflects the government’s commitment to dialogue, fairness, and the protection of Nigeria’s health workforce.

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“The Federal Government remains fully committed to the welfare, dignity, and professional advancement of all health workers across Nigeria. This resolution demonstrates that dialogue, mutual respect, and good faith remain the most effective tools for resolving industrial disputes in our health sector,” Salako said.

The minister acknowledged the sacrifices made by health workers during the prolonged strike and assured JOHESU members that no worker would be victimised, sanctioned, or intimidated for participating in the action.

“Government has therefore approved the immediate payment of January 2026 salaries and assures all JOHESU members that no reprisal will follow the industrial action,” he added.

Salako further reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sustained engagement with health sector unions, noting that discussions would continue on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and outstanding issues relating to the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

He disclosed that the Federal Government has committed to making provisions for the proposed salary adjustments in the 2026 Appropriation Act, in line with the recommendations of the existing technical committee template.

“The inclusion of salary adjustment provisions in the 2026 budget framework reflects our seriousness about achieving sustainable solutions for the health workforce through concrete policy and budgetary actions,” the minister stated.

He commended the spirit of cooperation and patriotism displayed by all parties throughout the negotiation process and reassured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to uninterrupted, quality, and accessible healthcare services nationwide.