The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, South-West Zone, began the destruction of unwholesome and substandard products valued at over N20 billion in Ibadan on Thursday.

The destruction exercise took place at the Moniya dumpsite located in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, stated that the purpose of the exercise is to prevent these dangerous products from finding their way back into the market and causing harm.

Professor Adeyeye was represented by Mrs. Florence Uba, the agency’s Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement, Apapa, Lagos.

Uba explained that the products being destroyed included substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics, and various other expired products.

She confirmed that the agency had confiscated these products from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.

The representative of the Director-General also stated: “Also, up for destruction today are damaged and expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Trade Unions.”

She further revealed the scale of the operation, saying: “The estimated street value of the products planned for destruction is N20 billion.”

Emphasizing the agency’s core mission, she added: “NAFDAC has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the health of the nation is safeguarded, and as such, it is committed to achieving its mandate.”

She urged community leaders, health professionals, religious figures, and journalists to help educate the public on the dangers of patronising unlicensed drug sellers and unregistered pharmaceutical outlets.

NAFDAC called for public participation in the fight against substandard products and appealed to Nigerians to report suspicious drug activities to help protect lives and reinforce the nation’s regulatory system.

She expressed her gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service for handing over more than 25 containers for destruction.

She also extended commendation to the Police, the Army, the Department of State Security Service, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, and other stakeholders for supporting NAFDAC’s mission.

Concluding her remarks, she stated: “Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians.”

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that officials from the Police, NCS, DSS, Immigration, and the Ministry of Health, among others, were present during the destruction exercise.