NAFDAC confiscates fake and expired products worth over ₦1.5 billion in Lagos operation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized counterfeit, expired, and unregistered products estimated at over ₦1.5 billion in a major crackdown at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos. The enforcement exercise, which targeted the cosmetics section of the market, was carried out as part of the agency’s nationwide campaign to rid the country of substandard and dangerous products.

According to the Director of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the operation followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering. The agency stormed several warehouses and storage units where large quantities of banned and expired products were being stocked for distribution. A truck filled with unregistered and falsely labeled goods was also intercepted during the operation.

The seized items include a wide range of cosmetics, skin lightening creams, soaps, body lotions, and hair products, many of which had either expired or were never approved by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria. Some products had their expiry dates deliberately erased or replaced with false labels, posing a serious public health threat.

Dr. Iluyomade stated that the enforcement team acted on credible intelligence that some traders in the market were dealing in harmful products that could cause severe health complications. He added that laboratory analysis will be carried out on the confiscated goods to determine the presence of toxic chemicals, especially those banned due to their links with cancer, organ damage, and skin disorders.

He stressed that NAFDAC views the circulation of such products not only as a regulatory violation but also as a threat to national security. According to him, unsafe products have the potential to harm unsuspecting consumers, particularly women and children who are the primary users of personal care products.

During the raid, several shops and warehouses were sealed, and their owners have been invited for questioning. The agency has made it clear that those found culpable will face prosecution under existing laws regulating the importation, sale, and distribution of food, drugs, and cosmetic products in Nigeria.

Dr. Iluyomade also used the opportunity to warn marketers and traders to desist from illegal activities that endanger public health. He reiterated that NAFDAC will not relent in its mandate to protect Nigerians from harmful products and will continue to monitor markets across the country.

“We want to send a strong message that the era of selling harmful and unapproved products is over. We will not allow traders to turn our markets into dumping grounds for expired, fake, or toxic products,” he said. “Our duty is to protect the lives of Nigerian consumers, and we are fully committed to carrying out this responsibility without compromise.”

NAFDAC’s enforcement activities have intensified in recent months, following reports from concerned citizens and consumer protection groups about the increasing availability of fake and substandard goods, particularly in urban markets. Many consumers have complained of health reactions ranging from skin irritations and rashes to more severe outcomes after using certain unapproved cosmetic products.

Industry experts have welcomed the latest seizure as a necessary step to sanitize the consumer market. They argue that the sale of unregulated goods undermines legitimate businesses that comply with safety regulations, while also placing lives at risk.

The economic implication of this seizure is also significant, as the black market for counterfeit and unregistered products continues to undercut properly registered businesses. Many companies that follow due process in securing NAFDAC registration often face unfair competition from distributors who bypass the system and flood the market with substandard alternatives.

NAFDAC has encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or unregistered products. The agency reiterated that consumers should always check for NAFDAC registration numbers on product labels and avoid purchasing items with tampered or missing expiry dates.

In addition to regulatory enforcement, NAFDAC has pledged to intensify its public awareness campaigns to educate traders and consumers on the dangers of using fake and expired products. The agency believes that sustained education, backed by firm enforcement, is key to reducing the circulation of harmful goods in Nigerian markets.

As investigations into the latest seizure continue, legal action is expected against offenders in line with the agency’s zero-tolerance stance. NAFDAC has reassured the public that it will continue to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to clamp down on individuals and groups engaged in the illegal importation, manufacture, and sale of fake products.

 

The Lagos raid is considered one of the largest product seizures conducted by NAFDAC in recent times and signals a broader move to restore order, safety, and consumer confidence in Nigeria’s regulated product markets.