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We cannot allow a system where people peddle poisons in the name of medicine. Our actions were not only lawful, they were absolutely necessary to save lives. Fake antihypertensives, expired antibiotics, and illegal narcotics have no place in our healthcare system
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly denied allegations of extortion and arbitrary sanctions following its recent sweeping enforcement actions targeting major open drug markets across the country.
The agency clarified that all investigative charges imposed during the operations were lawful, federally gazetted, and based on established public health regulations.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized that the agency’s actions were both legal and necessary to safeguard public health.
According to her, the crackdown was conducted in strict adherence to Nigerian law and followed a detailed enforcement protocol between February 9 and March 27, 2025.
“Let it be made abundantly clear: every charge imposed was in line with federal regulations and duly gazetted by the government. There was no witch-hunt, no arbitrary enforcement. These were consequences of clear violations of public health laws,” Prof. Adeyeye stated.
The operation focused on three major pharmaceutical trade hubs notorious for violations: Idumota in Lagos, Ariaria in Aba, and Bridge Head (Ogbogwu) in Onitsha.
These locations had long been identified as epicentres for the circulation of unregistered, expired, banned, and counterfeit medicines—some of which were illicitly diverted from donation and humanitarian aid programmes.
During the raid, NAFDAC sealed hundreds of shops, warehouses, and distribution outlets that were found to be dealing in illicit pharmaceutical products. The agency reported that over ₦1 trillion worth of dangerous and falsified drugs were seized and removed from circulation.
“We cannot allow a system where people peddle poisons in the name of medicine,” Adeyeye asserted. “Our actions were not only lawful, they were absolutely necessary to save lives. Fake antihypertensives, expired antibiotics, and illegal narcotics have no place in our healthcare system.”
To facilitate the re-opening of affected businesses, traders found in violation of regulations were issued investigative charges. These included a ₦5 million fine for the sale of unregistered medical products, which was later reduced to ₦200,000 after a review of appeals, and a ₦2 million charge for breaching Good Storage and Distribution Practices, also reduced to ₦500,000.
“These fines were not invented by NAFDAC overnight,” she explained. “They are rooted in official policy and federal guidelines. The reductions were granted in good faith after careful consideration of appeals. This is a system based on fairness and legality.”
Prof. Adeyeye also highlighted the successful reopening of the Ogbogwu market in Onitsha, which had been temporarily closed during the enforcement campaign. As of March 9, 2025, more than 2,500 traders operating over 3,500 shops had resumed business after fully complying with NAFDAC’s safety and regulatory conditions.
“Let it be known: there is unconditional reopening for those who comply with our regulations. We are not shutting businesses down permanently; we are restructuring the system for safety and accountability,” she added.
The Ogbogwu market—long regarded as the largest hub of counterfeit pharmaceuticals in West Africa—has been under NAFDAC surveillance for years. According to Adeyeye, the agency could no longer “turn a blind eye” to the circulation of dangerous drugs that have led to thousands of preventable deaths.
“Our mission is clear: we will continue to root out killer drugs from market to market, warehouse to warehouse, until Nigeria is free from the scourge of falsified medicines,” the NAFDAC chief vowed.
Prof. Adeyeye reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting the health of Nigerians by ensuring that all medical products in circulation meet established standards for safety, efficacy, and quality. She also pledged sustained surveillance and ongoing enforcement operations across the country to uphold pharmaceutical integrity.