Kehinde Fajobi
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday destroyed expired, smuggled, and counterfeit drugs valued at ₦10.99 billion at the Moniya dumpsite in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
NAFDAC’s Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s South-West Zonal Director, Roseline Ajayi, explained that the destroyed items were collected from five South-West states, excluding Lagos, and from Kwara State due to its proximity.
“The destroyed items are expired products voluntarily forfeited by distributors, unregistered and unwholesome products raided from outlets and warehouses, as well as fake and smuggled imported products.
“The worth of what is being destroyed today is estimated at ₦10,991,458,374.60,” Adeyeye stated.
She emphasised NAFDAC’s dedication to public health and safety through measures such as product registration, laboratory testing, inspections, and enforcement actions.
“This destruction exercise is a vital component of NAFDAC’s investigative and enforcement efforts to eliminate unwholesome, substandard, and counterfeit products from the market,” she said.
Adeyeye highlighted the significance of the destruction process, noting that it sends a clear message that confiscated items will not be diverted for personal use.
She assured Nigerians of the agency’s commitment to removing harmful products from circulation.
She also expressed appreciation for the support of the public and agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Police, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in the fight against counterfeit and substandard products.
Calling for collective action, she urged Nigerians to support NAFDAC’s efforts to protect the nation’s food and drug sector.
“Together, we can keep Nigeria safe and free from unwholesome medicinal and regulated products,” she added.