By Seun Ibiyemi
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) conducted 213 raids, sealed 179 establishments and recorded 52 arrests between January and August 2026 as part of efforts to curb the circulation of substandard, falsified and unsafe regulated products in Nigeria.
The agency disclosed this in its eight-month enforcement report compiled by the Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement, which detailed its surveillance, investigations and regulatory actions across the country.
According to the report, NAFDAC recorded 474 new cases and concluded 295 cases during the period. It also documented 821 product seizure entries, 157 surveillance activities, 218 administrative sanctions and 22 product destruction exercises.
The enforcement operations covered food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, drinks and chemicals, reflecting the agency’s regulatory responsibility to protect consumers and ensure that products available in the Nigerian market meet the required standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
The agency said its activities were part of sustained efforts under the leadership of its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve compliance and safeguard public health.
A breakdown of the reported product seizure entries showed that cosmetics accounted for the highest number, with 401 entries, followed by drinks with 215 and drugs with 112.
NAFDAC clarified that the figures represent the distribution of reported seizure entries across product categories and do not necessarily indicate the physical quantities or monetary value of products seized.
Cosmetics also accounted for 64 of the 179 establishment closures or sealing actions recorded during the eight-month period.
Meanwhile, drinks accounted for 67 of the 213 raids conducted by the agency.
Beyond raids and seizures, NAFDAC said its enforcement activities included placing products on hold, collecting and submitting samples for laboratory analysis, interrogating suspects and referring cases for legal action where applicable.
The measures are intended to identify suspected regulatory violations, gather evidence, prevent the continued distribution of potentially harmful products and ensure appropriate action under applicable laws and regulations.
The conclusion of 295 cases during the reporting period highlighted the continuing work of the Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement in processing complaints and pursuing regulatory action.
NAFDAC noted that effective enforcement goes beyond raids and seizures, requiring surveillance, investigations, evidence gathering, laboratory analysis where necessary and the application of appropriate administrative or judicial sanctions.
The agency said it would continue to strengthen collaboration with 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 products.
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The agency called on manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and other operators in regulated sectors to comply with applicable regulatory requirements.
Businesses were urged to ensure that their products are registered where required, sourced through legitimate channels, properly labelled and stored under prescribed conditions.
Consumers were also advised to purchase regulated products from reputable outlets and verify registration status through official NAFDAC channels where applicable.
The agency encouraged members of the public to report suspected falsified, substandard or unsafe products, as well as adverse reactions, through its established reporting channels.
It said timely reporting could assist investigations and help prevent further harm to consumers.
NAFDAC reaffirmed that public health protection remained central to its mandate and pledged to sustain surveillance, investigate suspected violations and take appropriate enforcement action to promote access to products that meet established quality, safety and efficacy standards.
