The proliferation of fake, substandard and counterfeit drugs, foods and other consumables in Nigeria has reached a disturbing level, exposing millions of Nigerians to potentially serious health risks.
This situation demands urgent action from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which appears to have lost the sense of urgency and regulatory authority that once defined its operations.
According to NAFDAC, the agency destroyed regulated products worth over N1.5tn in a single coordinated operation across Lagos and the South-East between February and March 2025. Speaking in Lagos, Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye said simultaneous raids at Idumota, Lagos; Onitsha markets in Anambra and the Ariaria International Market in Aba, Abia State, led to the seizure and destruction of counterfeit and substandard products loaded in over 137 40-foot trucks.
The agency also listed a series of destruction exercises. In February 2026, NAFDAC said it destroyed over N15bn worth of fake, expired, counterfeit and banned medicines in Ibadan, Oyo State, including Analgin, Co-codamol, codeine syrups, Tramadol, Oxytocin and expired vaccines. In December 2024, it destroyed expired and unregistered drugs worth N11bn, also in Ibadan. In March 2026, it destroyed N1.8bn worth of counterfeit medicines, banned sachet alcohol below 200ml, narcotics, antibiotics, antimalarials, counterfeit milk, skin-lightening creams, fake insecticides and medical devices in Kuje, Abuja.
NAFDAC further said it separately destroyed counterfeit beverages, spirits and revalidated foods worth N5bn in Aba in December 2023 after shutting down 150 shops. A repeat raid in the same location in December 2024 shut down 250 shops and uncovered N7bn worth of similar products.
A compilation from various NAFDAC alerts now shows at least 149 popular drugs and food items have been faked. Food and drinks include Cowbell Milk, Peak Milk, Dano Milk, Big Bull Rice, Mama Pride Rice, BUA Rice, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Lacasera, Hollandia Yoghurt, Amstel Malta, palm oil, honey and petrol. Drugs include Postinor-2, Augmentin, Oxytocin, Meronem, Avastin, Herceptin, Ozempic, Benylin Paediatric Syrup, Tramadol and Accu-Chek test strips. Cosmetics include Oral-B, Colgate, Dove soap and Nivea Roll-On.
NAFDAC has warned Nigerians to only buy from verified sources and check for NAFDAC registration numbers, and to use its Mobile Authentication Service where available to verify products.
