FG Launches Task Force to Tackle Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Foods

August 08, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

In a decisive move to protect public health and strengthen regulatory enforcement, the Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated a Federal and Regional Task Force (FTF) under the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The task force is charged with combating the manufacture and distribution of fake drugs and unwholesome processed foods across the country.

The inauguration, led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that all regulated products; medicines, foods, cosmetics, and medical devices meet strict national safety and quality standards.

This initiative aligns with Pillar 4: Health Security of the Ministry’s 4-Point Agenda, which focuses on protecting Nigerians from health threats, including unsafe products, infectious diseases, and systemic vulnerabilities.

“Counterfeit medicines and unsafe foods are not just crimes, they are threats to life,” said Prof. Pate.
“With this task force, we are sending a clear message: Nigeria will no longer be a haven for those who profit at the expense of public health.”

The Task Force is Mandated to:

• Identify and dismantle illegal manufacturing and distribution networks
• Prosecute offenders in accordance with the law
• Strengthen surveillance and enforcement operations nationwide

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare calls on all stakeholders; manufacturers, distributors, healthcare professionals, and consumers to join hands in the fight against substandard and falsified products.