Again, Shuaibu Hands Over Seized Expired Pharmaceutical Products to NAFDAC in Lagos

BY FUNMI ALUKO
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone A (FOU A) Tuesday, August 26, 2025 handed over various expired pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC).

This was disclosed by the Unit Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu when the new NAFDAC Director in charge of enforcement and investigation, Dr. Martin Iluyomade fsi paid him a courtesy visit.
Addressing journalists at the FOU A headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, Shuaibu reaffirmed the service’s dedication to upholding the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the NCS and NAFDAC.

According to a statement by the Unit Public Relations Officer, CSC Abdullahi Hussaini, Comptroller Shuaibu noted that the MoU marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against fake and counterfeit products.
He said, “What we are witnessing today is a follow up of the MoU emphasizing the importance of collaboration among regulatory and security agencies to continuously thwart the smuggling and importation of these harmful consignments.
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Thereafter he handed over a total of three trucks filled with various brands of expired pharmaceutical products which include items in sacks and cartons such as Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codine Syrup, Really Extral, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour, and Firegra, among others.
The FOU boss who said a wide range of the products pose serious risks to public health if not properly regulated, put the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the expired pharmaceuticals at ₦3,779,500,000.
The Comptroller emphasized that the service remains committed to ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications.
“Expired products must be handled with utmost seriousness” he warned, adding “the potential risks to public health from expired or counterfeit products cannot be underestimated.”
He further assured the public that the service prioritizes the health and safety of Nigerians by preventing expired or counterfeit drugs from circulating in the market.
He said the handover is not a one-off event, as more products will be transferred to NAFDAC following the conclusion of ongoing investigations. This is even as he reiterated the importance of the continued collaboration between NCS and NAFDAC, noting “This collaborative effort sets a precedent for future actions aimed at ensuring that only safe and effective medications are available to the Nigerian population.”
Receiving the consignments on behalf of the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Martin Iluyomade fsi, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both agencies.
He lauded the ongoing collaboration, describing it as a “healthy and strategic partnership” and pledged that NAFDAC would redouble its efforts in the fight against the smuggling of counterfeit and fake pharmaceutical products.