The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken custody of 15 containers filled with counterfeit pharmaceuticals and unwholesome tomato paste, with an estimated street value of N20.5bn (£16.7m), as part of its intensified crackdown on substandard and falsified regulated products.
The seizure, made at Onne Port in Port Harcourt, was handed over to NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in what the agency described as a demonstration of strengthened collaboration between the two organisations.
Among the confiscated items were 1.3 million bottles of codeine syrup—a strictly controlled prescription medicine—alongside 12.6 million tablets of Tramadol, a highly addictive painkiller intended for post-operative use. Also seized were 9.3 million tablets of falsified Diclofenac, a medication used to treat arthritis, as well as 280 packages of counterfeit Hyergra tablets, an unapproved version of Sildenafil Citrate for erectile dysfunction.
In addition to the pharmaceuticals, four containers of unregistered and substandard tomato paste were intercepted. NAFDAC, in a statement released on Sunday, described the haul as a major victory in its battle against the influx of dangerous and illicit products into Nigeria.
Prof. Adeyeye praised the Customs Service for its role in the operation, warning that the agency would not relent in its efforts to block the entry of fake and harmful goods.
“This is to warn unscrupulous merchants both at home and abroad that, under our watch, substandard and fake food and drug products will not be allowed access to our people,” she said. “Recent threats of death, kidnapping of our staff, and other attempts to dampen our zeal will continue to fail because God, as well as our people, are on our side.”
She urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities related to the production, importation, or sale of counterfeit goods through NAFDAC’s offices or its social media platforms.
Highlighting the severe health risks posed by such products, she explained that consuming adulterated or expired items could lead to acute poisoning, organ damage, and even cancer. “The dangers include nutritional deficiencies, chronic toxicity from heavy metals, allergic reactions, and cognitive disruption from heavily processed foods loaded with excessive sugar, salt, and fats,” she added.
Prof. Adeyeye stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation in safeguarding public health, stating that NAFDAC alone could not tackle the problem. She pledged to develop new strategies to work with other organisations and individuals committed to ensuring a healthier Nigeria.
The latest seizure underscores the persistent challenge of counterfeit goods in Nigeria’s markets, despite repeated crackdowns. Experts say weak enforcement, corruption, and porous borders continue to facilitate the illegal trade, putting millions of consumers at risk.
NAFDAC has faced increasing threats from criminal networks involved in the fake drug trade, including intimidation and violence against its officials. However, the agency has vowed to press ahead with its mandate, emphasising that public health must not be compromised.
The Customs Service, meanwhile, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting NAFDAC’s efforts, with Comptroller-General Adeniyi describing the partnership as critical in protecting Nigerians from harmful products.
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