N1.5tn fake, substandard products destroyed in 2025 raids – NAFDAC DG

Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye,NAFDAC DG

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it destroyed counterfeit and substandard regulated products worth more than N1.5tn during coordinated raids in Lagos and the South-East between February and March 2025.

Director-General of NAFDAC Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed this on Monday in Lagos while briefing journalists on the agency’s efforts to tackle fake, adulterated and unsafe products.

She said the raids at Idumota Market in Lagos, Onitsha markets in Anambra State and Ariaria International Market in Aba, Abia State, led to the seizure and destruction of more than 137 40-foot truckloads of products.

“Between February and March 2025, across Idumota, Onitsha and Ariaria Market, Aba, NAFDAC coordinated and simultaneously executed major raids which led to seizure and destruction of over 137 40-foot truckloads of counterfeit and substandard products valued at more than N1.5tn,” she said.

Mrs Adeyeye said the agency had continued its enforcement activities amid concerns over the circulation of fake and substandard products.

She said NAFDAC destroyed products with a street value of more than N120bn nationwide in 2024.

The agency also reported the destruction of more than N15bn worth of fake, expired, counterfeit and banned medicines in Ibadan, Oyo State, in February and another N1.8bn worth of counterfeit medicines and other banned products in Kuje, Abuja, in March.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC had secured 64 convictions for counterfeiting, with offenders sentenced to between one and seven years in prison without the option of a fine.

She cited cases involving fake Global Fund Artemether, a cough and cold syrup containing codeine, fake ointments and condoms and fake antibiotics.

“NAFDAC’s record for 2023-present shows it has responded with billions in seizures, hundreds of arrests, dozens of convictions, and trillion-naira destructions,” she said.

The agency also said its Post-Market Surveillance Directorate visited 6,233 facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory between May and July.

During the exercise, 7,210 products were removed from circulation. Food and water accounted for 3,633 products from 1,808 facilities, while drugs and herbals accounted for 2,459 products from 2,084 facilities.

The surveillance covered food and water, drugs and herbals, medical devices, vaccines and biologics, cosmetics and chemicals.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC received 225 complaints through its complaint channels in August, adding that the agency receives more than 200 complaints from Nigerians monthly.Nigerian current events

She urged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeit products through NAFDAC’s official complaint channels instead of relying solely on social media.

“Counterfeiters are not ghosts; they exist within our communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises,” she said.

The director-general said social media claims alone could not establish that a product was counterfeit or unsafe, stressing the need for laboratory testing and regulatory investigation. Adeyeye also clarified the limits of NAFDAC’s mandate, saying the agency primarily regulates processed and packaged food products.

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FRSC Act:Senate endorses N50, 000 fine for hawking, preaching inside buses — Senate The Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing stiffer penalties for traffic offences, including imposing a N50,000 fine on anyone caught hawking, trading or preaching in commercial buses. The amendment, which now awaits presidential assent, also prescribes a N50,000 fine or six months’ imprisonment, or both, for motorists who fail to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion. Details of the amended legislation indicate that penalties for several traffic offences have been increased by as much as 300 percent as part of efforts to curb reckless driving, improve compliance with road safety regulations and reduce road crashes. The proposed legislation, titled Federal Road Safety Corps Act (Amendment), 2026 (HBs. 1401 & 1604 – For Concurrence), was first read in the Senate on July 1, 2026. Under the new provisions, anyone found hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles commits an offence and, upon conviction, will be liable to a N50,000 fine. Lawmakers said the provision was introduced to discourage distractions in public vehicles and enhance the safety of commuters. During deliberations on the bill, senators argued that stronger sanctions had become necessary to address persistent traffic violations and unsafe practices on Nigerian roads. The amendment also raises the penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs from N5,000 to N100,000, with offenders also facing up to two years’ imprisonment or both. It states that any person found driving or attempting to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs above the legal limit, or to such an extent that they are incapable of proper control of the vehicle, commits an offence. Similarly, motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC personnel conducting preliminary roadside breath tests based on reasonable suspicion will face a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both. The amended Act also prescribes a N100,000 fine for motorists who fail to obey traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings or other traffic control devices. Speed limit violations, previously punishable with a N5,000 fine, will now attract N100,000, while reckless driving also carries a N100,000 fine, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both. The revised schedule of offences under the Act lists 52 traffic violations and their corresponding penalties. According to the Senate, the review is intended to strengthen the FRSC’s enforcement powers, improve compliance with traffic regulations and enhance safety on Nigerian roads. The new penalties are expected to have a significant impact on commercial transport operators and commuters, particularly in major cities where hawking and preaching inside buses are widespread practices.

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She said fresh agricultural produce such as apples, grapes and oranges falls under the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, while NAFDAC does not have direct and absolute regulatory oversight over unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets.

She urged state and local authorities to strengthen monitoring of such products.

Adeyeye also raised concerns about the adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and other contaminants and the use of bleach and other chemicals in the production of fufu.

NAFDAC said it would continue to seize, recall, destroy and prosecute those responsible for non-compliant products where violations are established.