NAFDAC shuts down Idumota market, others over fake drugs

February 12, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken decisive action against the proliferation of counterfeit medicines in Nigeria.

As part of a nationwide operation, NAFDAC officials sealed several major open drugs markets, including the popular Idumota market in Lagos.

The operation, which commenced on Sunday night, aimed to combat the widespread distribution of fake and ineffective medications. NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, emphasized the critical need for this operation, stating, “The essence of the operation is to ensure that when we take medicines, they work.”

Prof. Adeyeye highlighted the alarming rate of unwholesome products in the market, noting that over 50,000 shops operate in open markets without proper regulation.

She stressed that NAFDAC’s goal is to control these unapproved products and ensure public safety.

NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr. Shaba Mohammed, underscored the urgency of the operation, pointing out that these markets supply over 80% of Nigeria’s drug needs.

He emphasized, “These markets are not just places of trade, they are places where lives are at stake.”

The operation involved a collaborative effort between NAFDAC, military personnel, the police, and representatives from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

The agency’s swift action aims to protect Nigerian lives by ensuring that only approved, effective, and safe medications are sold in these markets.