Posted on: Sat 09-08-2025

Nigeria Launches Federal Task Force to Combat Counterfeit Drugs and Unwholesome Foods

Abuja, Nigeria – August 9, 2025, 06:00 AM WAT – In a bold move to safeguard public health and restore confidence in the nation’s food and medicine supply chain, the Nigerian government has officially inaugurated the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods. The launch, which took place on Friday, August 8, 2025, was spearheaded by the Honorable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and announced by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This multi-sectoral initiative, empowered by the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Cap C34), signals a renewed commitment to tackling one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenges.

The proliferation of counterfeit drugs and unsafe processed foods has long been a scourge in Nigeria, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. According to a 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) report, counterfeit medicines are responsible for approximately 70,000 deaths annually in the country, often due to failed treatments and the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. Similarly, unwholesome processed foods have been linked to widespread foodborne illnesses, exacerbating the burden on an already strained healthcare system. The creation of this task force comes at a critical juncture, as weak enforcement, porous borders, and the vast scale of illicit trade have undermined previous efforts to curb the menace, a problem highlighted in the 2021 Lancet Nigeria Commission study.

NAFDAC, established in 1993, has historically led crackdowns on counterfeit products, with notable successes under the leadership of former Director-General Dora Akunyili, who reduced the prevalence of fake drugs from 40% of the market in 2001 to 16.7% by 2006. However, the agency has faced ongoing challenges, including sophisticated counterfeiting techniques and the resilience of illegal operators, often dubbed “merchants of death” by regulatory authorities. The newly formed task force aims to build on these past achievements with a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach, leveraging legal and operational resources to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The Federal Task Force, inaugurated in a formal ceremony attended by key government officials, industry stakeholders, and security personnel, is tasked with leading a comprehensive response to the counterfeit drug and unwholesome food crisis. The event featured a series of images shared by NAFDAC on social media, depicting Professor Pate and other dignitaries, including NAFDAC officials and security operatives, pledging their commitment to the cause. The task force’s mandate includes conducting raids, enforcing regulations, and collaborating with government agencies, industry players, and the public to ensure the safety of consumable goods.

Empowered by Cap C34 laws, the task force is poised to spearhead operations that go beyond mere policing. Recent NAFDAC activities underscore the urgency of this initiative. Between February and March 2025, the agency, with support from the National Security Adviser and 1,350 security operatives, executed unprecedented raids on major drug markets in Idumota (Lagos), Onitsha (Anambra), and Aba (Abia). These operations resulted in the evacuation and destruction of over 137 truckloads of counterfeit and substandard products, with an estimated value exceeding 1 trillion. Multiple arrests were made, sending a clear message to perpetrators that the government is intensifying its enforcement drive.

The launch has elicited a range of reactions from the public and experts. On social media platform X, users expressed both support and skepticism. John Ogunsemore (@SignorJohn) praised the initiative but called for harsher penalties, suggesting that counterfeiters should face the death penalty or life imprisonment to deter the trade. Nononsense (@NoNonsensezone) echoed this sentiment, arguing that current measures are insufficient. Meanwhile, some users, like Jeguru Jepa (@JeguruJega101), lamented the perceived decline in NAFDAC’s effectiveness since the era of Dora Akunyili, urging the agency to target additional hotspots such as Trade Fair, Alaba, and Festac in Lagos.

Industry observers note that the task force’s success will depend on sustained funding, technological innovation, and international cooperation. A 2025 editorial in Premium Times emphasized the need for advanced detection methods, given the sophistication of modern counterfeiting enabled by printing technology and the internet of things. The editorial cited recent NAFDAC operations, including the destruction of fake drugs worth 11 billion in Ibadan and counterfeit rice valued at over 5 billion in Nasarawa, as evidence of the scale of the problem. Experts also point to China and India as primary sources of counterfeit drugs entering Nigeria, suggesting that NAFDAC must enhance its monitoring efforts abroad.

NAFDAC has called on all stakeholders—government agencies, industry players, partners, and the public—to join hands in this fight. The agency’s Director-General emphasized that the renewed enforcement drive is not just about destroying fake products but also about prosecuting offenders and restoring trust in Nigeria’s markets. The task force’s multi-sectoral approach is seen as a step toward addressing the systemic issues that have allowed the counterfeit trade to thrive, including corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and weak border controls.

As Nigeria grapples with these challenges, the launch of the Federal Task Force represents a pivotal moment. With the nation’s health and economic stability at stake, the success of this initiative could set a precedent for other countries facing similar issues. For now, all eyes are on NAFDAC and its partners as they embark on this critical mission to protect the lives of millions of Nigerians.

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