NAFDAC destroys ₦10.19bn fake, expired products in Kano
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed more than 618 tonnes of falsified, substandard, and expired regulated products in Kano, with an estimated value of ₦10.19 billion. The North-West zonal exercise is part of sustained efforts to safeguard public health and remove dangerous goods from circulation.
The operation took place at the Kalibawa Destruction Site along the Daura–Danbatta Road in Kano State. According to NAFDAC, the haul included items seized during enforcement activities, recovered through voluntary surrender by organizations and distributors, and obtained via joint actions with security agencies.
Products destroyed covered a wide range of regulated items, including:
- Counterfeit and substandard pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, anti-malarials, and anti-hypertensives
- Adulterated food products, including vegetable oil and sachet water
- Hazardous cosmetics
- Fake agrochemicals
- Compromised medical devices
NAFDAC leadership described the destruction as a significant milestone in regulatory enforcement, underscoring a zero-tolerance stance toward those who endanger public health. The agency emphasized that its surveillance and enforcement systems have been strengthened and warned manufacturers, importers, and distributors against participating in illicit production or trade. Offenders, it said, would face strict legal repercussions.
NAFDAC also noted that Nigeria’s recent attainment of the World Health Organisation’s Maturity Level 3 for its regulatory system, alongside admission into the International Council for Harmonisation, has boosted credibility and confidence in the country’s oversight of medicines and related products. The agency reiterated its ambition to reach WHO Maturity Level 4, citing sustained political will, inter-agency collaboration, and rigorous regulatory discipline as key drivers toward that target.
Providing context on market trends, the North-West Zonal Office highlighted that the prevalence of unregistered, fake, and counterfeit products has declined dramatically nationwide—from about 46 percent in earlier assessments to under six percent. The large volume of goods destroyed, the agency explained, reflects more effective intelligence, broader coverage of enforcement, and better cooperation with stakeholders, rather than a resurgence of counterfeit products in the market.
NAFDAC attributed the success of the operation to a network of partnerships and support from state authorities, security agencies, professional bodies, and trade associations. The agency called for continued collaboration to identify illicit supply chains, ensure swift removal of dangerous products, and maintain vigilance across markets.
By intensifying inspections, enhancing laboratory capacity, and expanding community reporting channels, NAFDAC aims to further reduce the circulation of fake and substandard products. The agency urged consumers, healthcare professionals, importers, and distributors to verify product authenticity, report suspicious items promptly, and adhere strictly to regulatory requirements to protect lives and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s health and consumer goods systems.
