By Chukwudi Obasi
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recorded 474 new enforcement cases and 821 product seizure entries between January and August 2026, as part of intensified efforts to curb the circulation of substandard, falsified and unsafe regulated products in Nigeria.
The agency also concluded 295 cases, conducted 213 raids, sealed or closed 179 establishments and arrested 52 persons during the eight months, according to its enforcement data.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the agency said its enforcement activities remained focused on protecting public health and ensuring that regulated products available in the country meet required standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
The statement said the agency also carried out 157 surveillance activities, imposed 218 administrative sanctions and conducted 22 reported product destruction exercises during the period.
The enforcement operations covered food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, drinks and chemicals, reflecting the broad scope of NAFDAC’s regulatory responsibilities.
Cosmetics accounted for the highest number of recorded product seizure entries, with 401, followed by drinks with 215 and drugs with 112.
NAFDAC, however, clarified that the seizure-entry figures represented recorded enforcement entries and did not, by themselves, indicate the physical quantity or monetary value of products seized.
Cosmetics also accounted for 64 of the 179 establishments closed or sealed during the period, while drinks featured in 67 of the 213 raids conducted.
The agency said its enforcement activities extended beyond raids and seizures to include placing products on hold, collecting samples for laboratory analysis, interrogating suspects and referring cases for legal action where necessary.
These measures, it said, were aimed at identifying suspected violations, gathering evidence, preventing further distribution of potentially harmful products and ensuring that appropriate action was taken in line with relevant laws and regulations.
Adeyeye said the conclusion of 295 cases during the reporting period demonstrated the continued efforts of the Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement to process reported violations and pursue appropriate regulatory action.
The agency stressed that effective enforcement required a combination of surveillance, investigation, evidence gathering, laboratory analysis, due process and the application of administrative or judicial sanctions.
It said it would continue to strengthen collaboration with relevant government institutions, law enforcement agencies, state task forces and other stakeholders to improve intelligence gathering, enhance compliance and tackle the circulation of unregistered, falsified, substandard and unsafe regulated products.
NAFDAC also urged manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and other operators in regulated sectors to comply strictly with applicable requirements.
It advised businesses to ensure that products are duly registered where required, sourced through legitimate channels, properly labelled and stored under prescribed conditions.
The agency further urged consumers to purchase regulated products from reputable outlets and verify their registration status through official NAFDAC channels where applicable.
It called on members of the public to report suspected falsified, substandard or unsafe products, as well as adverse reactions, through its established reporting channels.
According to the agency, timely reporting would assist regulatory investigations and help prevent further harm to consumers.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regulatory oversight, investigating suspected violations and taking appropriate enforcement action to safeguard public health and ensure Nigerians have access to regulated products that meet required standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
