The House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drug Administration and Control has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to provide a detailed account of all fines collected from traders found guilty of selling counterfeit or substandard drugs during recent enforcement operations in open markets across Nigeria.
The directive was issued on Tuesday during a committee session chaired by Acting Chairman Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo. The agency’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, was summoned to respond to allegations of extortion, particularly from traders at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market. However, she was represented by the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shaba Mohammed, and Dr. Lyon Obi Martins, NAFDAC’s South East Director.
The committee expressed concern over reports that NAFDAC imposed a N700,000 fine per shop during its enforcement actions in markets located in Lagos, Anambra, and Kano States. Lawmakers questioned the transparency of these collections and the alleged sudden increase of the fee from N500,000 to N700,000. In Lagos’ Idumota market, traders also reported an additional N2 million fine for improper drug storage and handling.
While commending NAFDAC’s efforts to tackle counterfeit drugs, Okonkwo noted that the committee had received multiple petitions from stakeholders regarding the agency’s conduct. He emphasized the need for public accountability and moved a motion requesting NAFDAC to submit an interim financial statement by June 30, 2025.
“This report must specify how much was collected, the bank accounts where the funds were deposited, and the total amount generated from the enforcement,” Okonkwo said.
He further stressed the urgency of establishing Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) across Nigeria in collaboration with state governments and market stakeholders. These centres, he said, should offer safe, standard-compliant environments for the storage and sale of pharmaceuticals.
To monitor compliance, the committee also resolved to conduct on-site inspections of CWCs in all affected states. Additionally, Okonkwo called for a thorough investigation into major players behind the counterfeit drug trade and requested that NAFDAC share intelligence on identified “kingpins” with the committee and relevant security agencies for prosecution.
Responding to the allegations, NAFDAC’s representative, Shaba Mohammed, clarified that the N700,000 fine included N500,000 for poor storage and N200,000 for possession of unregistered products. He said some violations were still under review.
Prof. Adeyeye, through her representatives, defended the operation, describing open drug markets as illegal and hazardous. She explained that the nationwide crackdown, the agency’s most extensive since 2007, began on February 9, 2025, in response to rising concerns from both local and international bodies, including the World Health Organization.
The enforcement was carried out in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser and backed by 1,200 security operatives. Major markets targeted included Idumota in Lagos, Bridge 8 Market in Onitsha, and Ariaria Market in Aba. The operation, initially planned to last one week, was extended due to widespread non-compliance — lasting three weeks in Lagos and four weeks in the Southeast.
According to NAFDAC, all shops in the affected markets were sealed to allow for comprehensive inspections. Only those that complied with regulatory standards were eventually reopened.
Adeyeye cited the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act, which bans the sale of pharmaceuticals in informal open markets. She described the conditions in some of the shops as substandard, with no ventilation and unsafe storage structures.
“All counterfeit and substandard drugs seized during the operations have since been destroyed,” she said, adding that prior to enforcement, NAFDAC had held meetings with market union leaders to communicate its plans and procedures.
The House Committee is expected to continue its oversight and has vowed to ensure full transparency and accountability in the ongoing efforts to sanitize Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
