FG, NAFDAC Launch National Task Force to Combat Fake Drugs and Unsafe Foods

The Federal Government, in partnership with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has inaugurated a multi-tiered task force to tackle the widespread menace of counterfeit medicines and unsafe processed foods across the country.

The initiative, which includes both federal and regional units, will drive coordinated surveillance, enforcement raids, and public awareness campaigns aimed at safeguarding the health of Nigerians and restoring confidence in the nation’s healthcare and food systems.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described fake drugs and unsafe foods as “threats to life,” stressing that the government would no longer tolerate actions that jeopardize public health. The move, he noted, is a core component of Pillar 4: Health Security in the Ministry’s four-point agenda.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted the severe impact of counterfeit and substandard products, warning that they undermine citizen safety, destroy public trust in health services, and harm legitimate businesses. She disclosed that earlier this year, between February and March, joint operations in major markets such as Onitsha and Ariaria led to the seizure and destruction of over 100 truckloads of counterfeit and unsafe products, with an estimated value exceeding ₦1 trillion.

The task force, empowered under Cap C-34 of Nigerian law, will operate with representatives from NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Customs Service, Armed Forces, Police, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and other key agencies.

According to Adeyeye, its main duties will include:

Market surveillance to identify and remove harmful products.

Enforcement raids on production and distribution hubs for counterfeit goods.

Border control measures to intercept illegal imports.

Public sensitization to help Nigerians identify and reject unsafe drugs and foods.

Government officials say the new task force will not only protect lives but also shield legitimate manufacturers from unfair competition, bolster Nigeria’s reputation in global trade, and ensure that citizens have access to safe, quality-assured medicines and foods.