The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning against attempts to incite resistance to regulatory reforms in drug markets, following the circulation of misleading social media content.
In a press release on Tuesday, the agency expressed concern over a video shared by a social media influencer, which appeared to incite traders at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market to oppose ongoing regulatory enforcement by the Federal Government. NAFDAC described the act as potentially constituting a breach of the Cybercrime Act and has alerted both the public and security agencies.
The statement also provided a detailed account of a nationwide enforcement operation carried out by NAFDAC between February 9 and March 27, 2025, across three major open drug markets: Idumota (Lagos), Aba (Abia), and Onitsha (Anambra). The operation led to the seizure and destruction of banned, expired, falsified, and substandard medical products and controlled substances with an estimated street value exceeding one trillion naira.
Findings from the operation revealed that warehouses and distribution outlets in the affected markets did not comply with Good Storage and Distribution Practice (GSDP) standards and operated without registration from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), in violation of national regulations.
As part of the enforcement actions, NAFDAC imposed the following gazetted investigative charges:
• A ₦5 million charge for the sale of unregistered products, later reduced to ₦200,000 upon appeal.
• A ₦2 million charge for GSDP violations, reduced to ₦500,000 after further appeal.
“These penalties are officially gazetted charges and were applied fairly across the affected markets,” the agency clarified.
NAFDAC emphasized its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that all drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and related products are safe, effective, and of acceptable quality. It assured Nigerians that its regulatory actions are focused on protecting vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, children, and people with chronic conditions.
“The agency will continue to operate within its legal mandate and will not be deterred by attempts to derail critical regulatory reforms,” said Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, PhD, FAS, Director-General and CEO of NAFDAC.
