The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has disclosed that more than 80 containers of fake and substandard medicines and foods are currently being destroyed as part of its nationwide enforcement drive.
The Director Investigation and Enforcement, Chairman Federal Task Force, NAFDAC, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, made this known at a press briefing on Saturday to hint the public about a recent attack on its officials at the Trade Fair market in Lagos.
Over the years, NAFDAC has battled a persistent challenge of fake, substandard, and counterfeit medicines and food items flooding Nigerian markets, particularly in major commercial hubs in Lagos.
He said, “Currently, we are destroying over 80 containers of fake and substandard products. The moral decadence in Nigeria is so much and a lot of people benefit from this illicit trade and the rate is alarming.
“We will continue to mop up these markets in our bid to reduce the level of substandard to the barest minimum.”
He described the incident, which occurred on Thursday, October 30, 2025, as a serious threat to enforcement operations, saying that, “enforcement has gotten that dangerous for our officials, but someone has to do it.
“About 10 operational vehicles worth over ₦25 billion were reportedly vandalised during the attack.”
Iluyomade lamented the alarming rate of fake and substandard products in Nigeria, particularly in major commercial hubs, noting that a lot of people benefit from this illicit trade.
He commended the Nigeria Customs Service, led by Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi, for ongoing collaboration and for handing over several containers of fake medicines to NAFDAC for destruction.
He confirmed that several cartons of fake, banned, and unwholesome products were confiscated during the operation, in line with the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C.34 LFN 2004.
The agency thanked the Nigeria Police and Military for their professionalism during the raid and assured Nigerians of its continued commitment to protecting public health.
