The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified the reasons behind its recent closure of three major Open Drug Markets (ODMs) in Nigeria. The affected markets are located in Idumota (Lagos State), Aba (Imo State), and Onitsha (Anambra State).
NAFDAC said the markets were shut down due to serious breaches of laws and regulations designed to protect public health. The agency found that many products sold in these markets were banned, expired, falsified, or substandard, with the total value of confiscated items estimated at over one trillion naira.
According to NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency conducted raids between February 9 and March 27, 2025, to remove unsafe drugs and other prohibited substances. She explained that none of the shops or warehouses met the minimum standards for Good Storage and Distribution Practices, which are necessary to maintain the safety and effectiveness of drugs.
Prof. Adeyeye also revealed that the premises of these drug markets were not registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), which is a clear violation of Nigerian law. As a result, NAFDAC imposed administrative fines on those responsible.
The penalties include an investigative charge of five million naira (N5 million) for selling unregistered products, which was reduced to two hundred thousand naira (N200,000) after pleas. Additionally, a two million naira (N2 million) fine was imposed for breaching storage and distribution regulations, later lowered to five hundred thousand naira (N500,000).
The closure has sparked criticism from traders who lost goods and investments. Some have hired social media influencers to attack NAFDAC, accusing the agency of unfair treatment. However, NAFDAC has condemned these accusations and warned that such incitement could breach Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act.
The agency’s statement urged traders to comply with all regulations before reopening. NAFDAC emphasized its commitment to ensuring that all drugs sold in Nigeria are safe, effective, and properly stored.
This operation is part of ongoing efforts to fight fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria, which pose serious health risks to consumers. NAFDAC continues to work with other government agencies to enforce drug safety laws and protect Nigerians from harmful products.
