FOU ‘A’ Customs, NAFDAC Strengthen Partnership to Tackle Fake Drugs and Protect Public Health
…Expired Pharmaceuticals Worth ₦3.7bn Handed Over to NAFDAC
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has taken a decisive step in strengthening its collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as both agencies intensify efforts to eliminate counterfeit, expired, and substandard drugs from Nigerian markets. This renewed partnership underscores the vital role of inter-agency synergy in safeguarding public health, regulating Nigerian imports and exports, and maintaining compliance within the pharmaceutical supply chain.
During a strategic courtesy visit by top NAFDAC officials on Tuesday, 26 August 2025, the Unit Controller, Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu, stressed the importance of this partnership, linking it to the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, who has consistently emphasized the need for consolidation and collaboration among government agencies.
“When our CGC assumed office, he stressed that Customs must work hand-in-hand with other regulatory agencies. We already have existing frameworks in place, and what we are doing now is building on them. Our synergy is not just with NAFDAC but with every relevant authority. At the operational level, we are committed to ensuring that whatever agreements are signed at the top are fully implemented. The reality is that there is an urgent need to rid Nigeria of fake and substandard products,” Comptroller Shuaibu explained.
NAFDAC Commends Customs’ Leadership and Commitment
Representing NAFDAC, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, applauded CGC Adeniyi’s forward-thinking leadership, describing him as “a man with excellence in his DNA.” He noted that this type of visionary leadership paved the way for the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both agencies, thereby institutionalizing a stronger alliance in the fight against counterfeit drugs and illegal imports into Nigeria.
Similarly, the Director of Ports Inspection, Dr. Olakunle Olaniran, reiterated NAFDAC’s determination to align Nigeria’s pharmaceutical import controls with global best practices. According to him, “there is no longer room for falsified products entering our ports or borders. Anyone engaged in such practices will find that they have no choice but to channel their resources into legitimate business operations.”
₦3.7 Billion Expired Drugs Handed Over to NAFDAC
The visit was rounded off with a significant symbolic action — the formal handover of expired and unfit pharmaceutical products valued at ₦3.7 billion from Customs to NAFDAC. This handover not only highlights the agencies’ joint determination to protect Nigerian consumers but also sends a strong warning to unscrupulous importers who attempt to take advantage of gaps in the system.
Why This Matters for Nigerian Trade and Logistics
This partnership is not only a win for public health but also reinforces confidence in Nigeria’s trade environment. With Customs and NAFDAC actively monitoring cargo services in Nigeria, importers, exporters, clearing agents in Apapa Lagos, and top shipping agents in Nigeria can expect stricter compliance checks at ports. This will ensure that legitimate importers, freight forwarding agents in Nigeria, and international logistics companies are not undermined by the circulation of counterfeit or substandard products.
The joint resolve between NAFDAC and the Nigeria Customs Service demonstrates that Nigeria is steadily moving towards a more secure and transparent trade ecosystem. It also highlights the need for businesses to adopt the services of reliable clearing agents in Nigeria and trusted freight forwarding agents in Nigeria to avoid costly losses or seizures.
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