The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered and seized 87 truckloads of banned, expired, and substandard medicinal products, including antiretroviral drugs and condoms originally donated by USAID and UNFPA.
The agency disclosed that these life-saving medical supplies, meant to support Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS, were found expired, repackaged for sale, or stored in unsafe conditions.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the shocking revelation on Wednesday while addressing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
She expressed grave concerns about the dangers posed by the illicit drug market and emphasized that counterfeiters were actively threatening her life and those of her staff.
The Raid and Its Findings
The nationwide crackdown, part of NAFDAC’s National Action Plan 2.0 (2023-2027), targeted Nigeria’s three major open drug markets:
- Ariaria and Eziukwu in Aba
- Bridge Head Market in Onitsha
- Idumota Drug Market in Lagos
The agency discovered widespread violations of drug storage and distribution regulations. Among the seized items were:
- Large quantities of donated antiretroviral drugs and expired male and female condoms.
- Banned and unregistered pharmaceutical products.
- Controlled substances like Tramadol, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Nitrazepam, and Diazepam.
- Thermolabile drugs like Oxytocin injections stored in extreme heat, rendering them ineffective.
These medications were found stored in deplorable conditions, including toilets, rooftops, and spaces without temperature control, raising concerns about their efficacy and safety.
Further investigations revealed that some of the expired and repackaged drugs were being sold under fake labels, posing severe health risks to unsuspecting Nigerians. Prof. Adeyeye noted that the presence of such counterfeit medicines in the market could lead to widespread health complications, including drug resistance, failed treatments, and an increase in mortality rates.
Call for a Thorough Investigation
The revelation that USAID- and UNFPA-donated drugs were diverted into the illicit market has sparked calls for a thorough investigation. Questions remain about how these supplies ended up in unauthorized hands and who within the supply chain is responsible.
Authorities must determine:
- Who received the shipments from USAID and UNFPA?
- At what point were the drugs diverted into illegal sales channels?
- What regulatory loopholes enabled this breach?
- How can future occurrences be prevented?
NAFDAC has pledged to work closely with local and international partners to track the supply chain and uncover those responsible for the illegal redistribution. Meanwhile, health experts and advocacy groups are urging transparency in the investigation, stressing that those found culpable should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Security Implications and Prosecution
Prof. Adeyeye warned that the volume of controlled substances seized was enough to destabilize national security, fueling concerns over the role of illicit drugs in crime and substance abuse. Already, 40 suspects have been arrested, and prosecutions are underway.
In addition to the dangers posed to public health, security agencies have raised alarms over the increasing prevalence of drug abuse linked to illegally distributed pharmaceuticals.
The abuse of narcotics such as Tramadol and Rohypnol has been linked to a rise in violent crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism. Authorities are now intensifying efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates involved in the illicit drug trade.
Additionally, the agency has called for stronger collaboration with law enforcement and international bodies to curb drug trafficking and counterfeit medicine production.
Stakeholders within Nigeria’s healthcare and regulatory sectors emphasize the need for enhanced border control measures and stringent penalties for those involved in pharmaceutical fraud.
The Role of Government and International Bodies
This incident has once again highlighted the challenges in Nigeria’s drug distribution system.
Experts argue that a lack of adequate regulation, insufficient monitoring, and corruption within supply chains continue to enable the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs.
The Nigerian government is now under pressure to strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure donated medications reach the intended beneficiaries. USAID and UNFPA, as major donors, are also being urged to introduce stricter tracking measures for their medical supplies.
Increased use of technology, such as blockchain for drug traceability, has been suggested as a way to monitor the movement of donated drugs more effectively.
The NAFDAC operation is one of the largest in Nigerian history, with an estimated seizure value of N1tn—a figure that could increase upon further assessment.
While the crackdown has dealt a significant blow to drug counterfeiters, the real challenge lies in addressing systemic corruption and ensuring that life-saving medical donations reach the people who need them most.
Stakeholders are now urging the government to conduct a full-scale probe, hold culprits accountable, and reinforce regulatory oversight to safeguard public health. Without concrete actions, such incidents may continue to undermine Nigeria’s healthcare system, putting millions of lives at risk.
