Task Force Established by FG and NAFDAC to Combat Counterfeit Medications and Unsafe Nutrition Nationwide in Nigeria
In a significant move to combat the growing threat of counterfeit drugs and unsafe processed foods, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the launch of a Federal and Regional Task Force (FTF). The task force was inaugurated by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and is mandated to identify and dismantle illegal manufacturing and distribution networks, prosecute offenders, and strengthen nationwide surveillance and enforcement operations.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, warned of the gravity of the threat, citing the seizure of a wide range of fake medicines, unregistered drugs, and unwholesome processed foods during coordinated operations at major drug markets. These operations, conducted between February and March 2025, led to the arrest of numerous illegal traders.
The total value of the seized counterfeit and substandard products is over 1 trillion naira, underscoring the scale of the problem. Adeyeye emphasised that the fight against counterfeit products is both a shared responsibility and an urgent priority. She urged every partner to bring their expertise and commitment to the fight, calling upon all Nigerians to see the launch of the task force as a rallying point in the fight against counterfeit and fake products.
Success, according to Adeyeye, depends on collaboration. The FTF is a testament to the collective resolve to fight against these illicit products, requiring a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach. She affirmed that NAFDAC stands ready to lead the charge against counterfeit products.
The task force will leverage innovation and technology to intensify efforts, roll out public awareness campaigns, and enhance surveillance and enforcement operations. Adeyeye ended her remarks with a rallying call to Nigerians, urging them to join the fight against counterfeit and fake products.
The initiative forms part of Pillar 4: Health Security in the Ministry's 4-Point Agenda. The search results do not provide the name of the person appointed by the German federal government as the head of the FTF established by NAFDAC to combat the production and distribution of fake drugs and substandard processed foods in Nigeria. However, the launch of the task force marks a significant step forward in the fight against this persistent problem.
