The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed that it requested payments from traders in Onitsha, Anambra State—but insists the charges, totaling N700,000 in some cases, were penalties for regulatory violations
In a press release titled “NAFDAC Warns Against Incitement, Reaffirms Commitment to Drug Market Reforms and Public Safety,” the agency addressed viral social media videos showing an influencer allegedly inciting traders at Onitsha’s Bridge Head Market to resist enforcement efforts by the federal government.
NAFDAC said it had alerted security agencies about the videos, warning that such actions could constitute a breach of the Cybercrime Act.
According to the statement, between February 9 and March 27, 2025, NAFDAC carried out enforcement operations across three major open drug markets in the country—Idumota in Lagos, Aba in Abia, and Onitsha in Anambra—seizing and destroying expired, fake, and banned drugs and controlled substances worth over one trillion naira.
The agency said inspections revealed that many shops and warehouses in these markets violated national standards, failed to comply with Good Storage and Distribution Practices (GSDP), and were not registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
NAFDAC outlined the charges as follows:
- An investigative charge of N5 million for selling unregistered products, later reduced to N200,000 following appeals;
- An additional charge of N2 million for violations of GSDP standards, reduced to N500,000 after further negotiations.
“These penalties are officially gazetted charges and were applied fairly across all affected markets,” the agency said.
NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that all drugs, vaccines, and medical products in circulation are safe and of high quality.
“The agency will not be deterred by attempts to derail critical regulatory reforms,” said Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye. “Our focus remains on protecting the most vulnerable Nigerians—pregnant women, children, and those with chronic illnesses—by ensuring compliance with national drug laws.”
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