By Zakari Haruna Isah
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed over ₦10 billion worth of fake, counterfeit and unwholesome regulated products in the North-West Zone, as part of intensified efforts to safeguard public health.
The Director, NAFDAC North-West Zone, Mr. Daddy Nantim Mulla, disclosed this while speaking on the KSMC Breakfast Show, where he highlighted the agency’s mandate, challenges and recent achievements in combating fake and substandard products across the region.
Mr. Nantim said NAFDAC was established to protect Nigerians by ensuring that only safe, high-quality and efficacious food, medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, detergents and packaged water are manufactured, imported, distributed and sold in the country.
“Anything that a human being uses that can impact health is regulated by NAFDAC. Our duty is to ensure Nigerians are safe whenever they come in contact with these products,” he said.
According to him, the North-West presents a unique regulatory environment due to its large population, vibrant commercial activities and extensive cross-border trade, particularly with neighbouring countries. He noted that these factors increase the risk of infiltration of fake and substandard products into local markets.
The NAFDAC director expressed concern over the growing trend of individuals engaging in the production and distribution of regulated products without the required technical knowledge, driven largely by profit motives.
He cited a recent incident on the outskirts of Kaduna where an individual allegedly processed and distributed a consumable product using crude methods, leading to reported fatalities. “This is a clear example of ignorance and greed putting lives at risk. You cannot handle regulated products without proper training, approved facilities and certification,” he warned.
Mr. Nantim stressed that NAFDAC registration remains the minimum requirement for anyone intending to manufacture or distribute regulated products, including water, herbal medicines and cosmetics. He cautioned that possession of equipment alone does not qualify a product for the market without regulatory approval.
He also confirmed ongoing cases of falsified NAFDAC registration numbers, revealing recent discoveries of expired baby milk and food hampers containing expired items being sold to unsuspecting consumers.
“How can a baby under six months be fed with expired milk and expected to be healthy? This is criminal and will be dealt with severely,” he said.
The NAFDAC director called on consumers to take responsibility by purchasing products from reliable outlets, demanding receipts and promptly reporting suspicious or substandard products to the agency, noting that consumer complaints often trigger investigations.
On inter-agency collaboration, Mr. Nantim said NAFDAC works closely with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force and the NDLEA to intercept illegal products, protect enforcement officers and prosecute offenders.
He acknowledged challenges such as poverty and ignorance, which he described as major drivers of fake product circulation in the region, but assured that enforcement efforts are being strengthened.
Highlighting achievements in 2025, Mr. Nantim described the destruction of over 30 truckloads of seized fake products in Kano in December as a major milestone. “These products would have ended up in our homes and bodies, but we were able to remove them from circulation,” he said.
He also spoke on the importance of the NAFDAC Green Book and Pediatric Focus Regulation 2025, explaining that the Green Book allows individuals and institutions to verify genuine, approved products. He added that the Green Book is available online and free for basic use, while the NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) enables consumers to verify registration numbers.
On the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets, Mr. Nantim confirmed that the ban took effect in January 2026, following a phased five-year transition period granted to manufacturers. He said the move was aimed at protecting children and young people from easy access to high-alcohol content products.
“This is a public health decision, not an attack on producers. The easy accessibility of alcohol in sachets has exposed our youths to serious danger,” he said.
Mr. Nantim reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting public health and urged Nigerians to support the agency by remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious products.