Customs Hands Over Expired Pharmaceuticals Worth ₦3.8bn to NAFDAC in Lagos

By Amina Ojelabi

The Federal Operations Unit Zone A (FOU A) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over three truckloads of expired pharmaceutical products valued at ₦3.78 billion to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos.

Speaking during the official handover ceremony at the FOU A headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu reaffirmed Customs’ commitment to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NAFDAC, describing it as a key weapon in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against counterfeit and harmful products.

The Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone A (FOU A) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu (middle) with the Unit’s management team (left) and a visiting delegation from the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), right

“What we are witnessing today is a follow-up on the MoU, which underscores the importance of collaboration among regulatory and security agencies to curb the smuggling and circulation of dangerous consignments,” Shuaibu stated.
He disclosed that the seized products comprised various brands of expired drugs packaged in sacks and cartons, including Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codeine Syrup, Really Extral, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour, and Firegra.

“These expired products pose grave risks to public health if allowed into circulation. Expired or counterfeit drugs must be handled with utmost seriousness,” he warned, stressing that the handover exercise is part of an ongoing effort to protect Nigerians from unsafe medications.

Shuaibu added that more consignments will be transferred to NAFDAC as investigations continue, emphasizing that the operation sets a precedent for stronger enforcement and regulatory actions.

Receiving the items on behalf of NAFDAC Director-General Dr. Martin Iluyomade, a representative of the agency commended Customs for its vigilance and described the partnership as a “strategic and healthy collaboration” aimed at eliminating counterfeit pharmaceuticals from the Nigerian market.

He assured that NAFDAC will intensify its enforcement operations to complement Customs’ efforts, noting that the joint initiative underscores the agencies’ shared commitment to safeguarding public health.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by Hussaini Abdullahi, Public Relations Officer of Customs FOU Zone A.