Fake Drugs, Drinks Flood Nigerian Markets as NAFDAC Seizes ₦22.73bn Worth of Unsafe Products

 

The circulation of suspected fake drugs, alcoholic drinks, food products and other consumer goods is raising fresh concerns about public health in Nigeria, as regulatory authorities intensify efforts to disrupt counterfeit production and distribution networks.

Recent operations by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos and Aba, Abia State, uncovered suspected illegal beverage production and large quantities of packaging materials bearing the names of established brands.

The discoveries highlight the difficulty consumers face in distinguishing genuine products from potentially unsafe imitations, particularly when counterfeiters reproduce familiar labels and packaging.

According to figures reported by NAFDAC, the agency recorded 5,542 enforcement activities between January and August 2026 and destroyed unsafe products valued at approximately ₦22.73 billion.

 

NAFDAC Uncovers Suspected Fake Drink Operation in Lagos

During an operation at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, along the Badagry Expressway in Ojo, Lagos State, NAFDAC operatives uncovered a suspected facility allegedly used for the illegal production or repackaging of alcoholic and energy drinks.

The operation followed intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting suspected counterfeiters operating within the Trade Fair International Market.

Two suspects, identified as Chibuzor Okafor and William John, were arrested. Officials reportedly recovered drums, filters, packaging materials, a heating device and other equipment suspected to have been used in the operation.

One of the suspects, Okafor, who identified himself as a drinks dealer, reportedly told Saturday Vanguard that he transferred drinks into different bottles, claiming the original contents had been damaged.

The explanation raised concerns about the composition, authenticity and safety of the beverages being repackaged.

Speaking during the raid, Kunle Ojo, an assistant director in NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, described the discovery as alarming and said the agency’s operations were aimed at protecting consumers.

 

Counterfeit Packaging Materials Found in Aba

In a separate operation in Aba, Abia State, NAFDAC operatives raided shops at Old Court Road Market following intelligence about the production and distribution of packaging materials used to imitate established brands.

The agency said it recovered labels, corks and outer packaging bearing names associated with alcoholic beverages, spirits and other products, including Jameson, Glenfiddich, Four Cousins, Lord’s Dry Gin, Imperial Blue, Chelsea, Squadron and Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps.

Packaging materials associated with Goya oil were also reportedly recovered.

NAFDAC estimated the value of the materials seized from five shops at more than ₦200 million.

The agency said some traders resisted the operation, with individuals allegedly threatening operatives and people assisting in the removal of the recovered materials.

The owners of the affected shops reportedly fled, while the premises were placed on hold pending further action.

The discoveries in Lagos and Aba illustrate how suspected counterfeiting can involve both the contents of beverages and packaging designed to make unauthorised products appear genuine.

 

Fake Medicines Raise Concerns Over Treatment Failures

Beyond beverages, falsified and substandard medicines pose serious risks because patients may take products that contain insufficient active ingredients, incorrect substances or harmful contaminants.

When a medicine fails to deliver its expected effect, patients may experience prolonged illness, complications or additional medical expenses.

However, treatment failure does not automatically mean a medicine is counterfeit. Other possible causes include incorrect diagnosis, inadequate dosage, poor adherence to prescriptions, drug resistance and complications associated with an illness.

Health professionals have warned that suspected medicine-quality problems should be investigated rather than assumed to be the cause of every unsuccessful treatment.

The consequences can be particularly serious for people managing chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, where consistent treatment and monitoring are essential.

 

NAFDAC Records Thousands of Enforcement Activities

NAFDAC’s reported figures provide an indication of the scale of its enforcement workload.

Between January and August 2026, the agency recorded:

• 5,542 enforcement activities
• 213 raids
• 821 product seizure entries
• 179 establishments closed or sealed
• 52 arrests
• 474 newly reported cases
• 295 concluded cases
• 22 product destruction exercises

The agency reported that the value of unsafe products destroyed during the period was approximately ₦22.73 billion.

Its seizure records covered several regulated product categories, including medicines, food, beverages, cosmetics, chemicals, packaged water and medical devices.

Cosmetics accounted for 401 seizure entries, while drinks accounted for 215, drugs 112, food 69 and chemicals 22.

Although these figures reflect substantial enforcement activity, the number and value of seized or destroyed products alone do not establish whether the overall prevalence of counterfeiting is increasing or declining.

 

Online Sales Create Additional Challenges

The growth of online shopping and social media commerce has added another challenge to efforts to identify counterfeit products.

Medicines, cosmetics and other regulated goods are increasingly advertised through social media accounts and online marketplaces, where consumers may struggle to verify sellers and establish the origin of products.

NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye has said the agency deployed corps members and interns to monitor product sales on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Jiji, Jumia and Konga.

Information gathered through the monitoring exercise can be reviewed for possible investigations and enforcement action.

Adeyeye has also highlighted the importance of verifying product registration through official channels, including the agency’s Green Book and Scan2Verify system.

Consumers have been advised not to rely solely on familiar packaging, attractive advertisements or sellers’ assurances when deciding whether a product is genuine.

 

Experts Call for Stronger Surveillance and Accountability

Public health experts have called for more effective post-market surveillance, improved laboratory capacity, better intelligence sharing and stronger action against those responsible for manufacturing and distributing counterfeit goods.

They have also emphasised the importance of healthcare professionals reporting suspected treatment failures and concerns about product quality through appropriate channels.

Manufacturers and distributors, meanwhile, have a role in ensuring that products are properly manufactured, stored, transported and labelled.

Online marketplaces also face pressure to strengthen safeguards against the sale of prohibited or unsafe products.

Experts say enforcement should be assessed not only by the number of raids conducted or goods seized, but also by whether dangerous products are prevented from reaching consumers and offenders are held accountable.

 

How Consumers Can Protect Themselves

Consumers can take practical steps to reduce their exposure to suspected counterfeit products.

Medicines should be purchased through licensed, reputable pharmacies or healthcare providers. Buyers should be cautious of products offered at unusually low prices, those with altered packaging and items making exaggerated claims about miraculous cures.

NAFDAC registration details should be checked through official sources where possible. However, consumers should remember that counterfeiters may copy the registration numbers and labels of genuine products.

Anyone who suspects that a medicine is ineffective, contaminated or associated with an unexpected reaction should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional and report the concern through appropriate channels.

Patients should not stop or change prescribed medicines, particularly those used to manage chronic illnesses, without professional guidance.

For alcoholic drinks and other packaged products, suspicious seals, inconsistent labelling or signs of tampering should prompt caution. Consumers should avoid products they suspect have been altered or repackaged unlawfully.

 

Enforcement Must Go Beyond Market Raids

The recent discoveries in Lagos and Aba underline the need to investigate not only finished products but also the people, packaging materials and distribution networks that support suspected counterfeiting.

NAFDAC’s enforcement figures show the volume of regulatory activity taking place, but sustained surveillance and effective prosecution remain important to disrupting the trade.

For consumers, the stakes extend beyond financial losses. Unsafe products can undermine medical treatment, expose people to harmful substances and create additional burdens for families already struggling with healthcare costs.

Protecting the public therefore requires coordinated action by regulators, law enforcement agencies, manufacturers, distributors, healthcare professionals and consumers to ensure that products sold in Nigerian markets are authentic, properly handled and safe for their intended use.