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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed over 618 tonnes of counterfeit, substandard, expired, and fake regulated products valued at ₦10.19 billion in Kano State.
The North-West zonal exercise involved the disposal of illegal drugs, food items, cosmetics, agrochemicals and medical devices as part of efforts to protect public health and curb the circulation of harmful products.
The destruction took place at the Kalibawa Destruction Site along the Daura–Danbata Road in Kano.
Speaking at the event, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Mr Dadi Nantim Mullah, described the exercise as a major milestone in pharmaceutical regulation.
She said the action sent a strong message that impunity for those endangering lives through fake and substandard products would no longer be tolerated.
Adeyeye disclosed that the seized items included counterfeit antibiotics, anti-malarials and anti-hypertensives; adulterated food products such as vegetable oil and sachet water; unsafe cosmetics; fake agrochemicals; and compromised medical devices.
She warned manufacturers, importers and distributors involved in such practices that NAFDAC had strengthened its surveillance and enforcement systems and that offenders would face severe legal sanctions.
The Director-General also highlighted Nigeria’s attainment of the World Health Organisation’s Maturity Level 3 status and its admission into the International Council for Harmonisation, describing both as significant boosts to confidence in the country’s regulatory framework.
She added that Nigeria was working towards achieving WHO Maturity Level 4.
In his remarks, Mullah said the prevalence of fake and unregistered products nationwide had dropped from about 46 per cent to below six per cent, noting that the large volume destroyed reflected improved enforcement rather than increased circulation.
He explained that the products were recovered through enforcement operations, voluntary submissions by organisations and distributors, and joint efforts with security agencies.
NAFDAC commended the Kano State Government, the Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigeria Police, professional bodies and trade associations for their support and called for continued collaboration to eliminate counterfeit products from the market.
The agency also urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid purchasing medicines from unlicensed vendors, and report suspicious products through official channels.
