In a major enforcement operation to rid the Nigerian market of unsafe products, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated harmful cosmetic and pharmaceutical items valued at over ₦170 million and sealed 10 shops in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to a statement released by the Agency on Friday, the crackdown targeted eight cosmetics stores in Wuse Market and two Chinese supermarkets in Jabi District, following intelligence reports and consumer complaints about the sale of banned, expired, and unregistered products.
NAFDAC said several individuals at the affected outlets were caught posing as dermatologists and pharmacists, illegally prescribing and selling unsafe products to unsuspecting customers.
Among the seized items were Wenicks Capsules, Maxman Capsules, Boobs Enlargement Creams, Curvy Weight Gain Supplements, Skin Whitening Gummies, Collagen, Glutathione Whitening Gummies, White Doll, Dr. Gallery Plus, Maiz Zaki Syrup, Original Herbal Yellow Fever Medicine, Sickle Cell Medicine, and Dr. Nafisa Herbal Medicine, among others.
The Agency warned that these products pose serious health risks, including kidney damage, skin cancer, hormonal imbalance, and neurological disorders.
In addition, the two Chinese supermarkets located along Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street were sealed for violating NAFDAC’s labelling regulations, after surveillance confirmed the sale of unregistered food and cosmetic items labelled entirely in Chinese, without English translations as required by law.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reiterated the Agency’s determination to safeguard public health and ensure that only safe, properly registered products are sold in Nigerian markets.
“The sale of unregistered or toxic products will not be tolerated. Offenders will face the full weight of the law,” Adeyeye warned.
She urged foreign nationals and investors intending to market products in Nigeria to liaise with NAFDAC for proper registration and regulatory guidance, adding that the Agency will continue to intensify market surveillance and enforcement nationwide.
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