The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, banned, and substandard medical and consumer products valued at over ₦55 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of efforts to protect public health and prevent dangerous goods from returning to the market.

The destruction exercise took place on Thursday at a dumpsite in Moniya, Akinyele Local Government Area, where large quantities of seized drugs, food items, cosmetics, and other regulated products were openly disposed of. NAFDAC said the move was in line with its mandate to safeguard Nigerians from harmful and unwholesome products.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency’s Deputy Director in charge of Investigation and Enforcement, Florence Ubah, said the destroyed items included falsified and expired medicines, unsafe medical devices, unwholesome processed foods, fake cosmetics, and other illegal products seized from manufacturers, importer,s and distributors.

She disclosed that the total estimated street value of the destroyed items was ₦55.43 billion, noting that many of the products were voluntarily handed over by more than 70 compliant companies, non-governmental organisations, and trade unions. According to her, this cooperation showed growing awareness and responsibility among stakeholders in the fight against fake and dangerous products.

Ubah stressed that allowing such items to circulate poses serious risks to lives, as substandard medicines and unsafe products can lead to treatment failure, complications, and even death. She added that NAFDAC remains determined to rid the country of falsified and illicit products through surveillance, enforcement, and public education.

The agency also commended the support of security and regulatory bodies, including the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, NDLEA, and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, for their collaboration in the operation.

NAFDAC appealed to Nigerians to avoid patronising unlicensed drug sellers and food vendors, urging community and religious leaders, health workers, and the media to continue educating the public on the dangers of fake and substandard products.

The Ibadan exercise follows a similar destruction carried out in November, when counterfeit and expired products valued at about ₦20 billion were destroyed in the state, underscoring NAFDAC’s sustained crackdown on illicit and unsafe goods across the country.