[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Labour Party leader Peter Obi against what it described as inciting comments following his condemnation of regulatory charges on traders in Onitsha.

Also read: Peter Obi: NAFDAC’S N700K reopening fee for Onitsha shops is economic sabotage

The agency, in a press release dated 27 May 2025, referred to Obi as a “social media influencer” and warned that his remarks could breach the Cybercrime Act.

Obi had recently criticised NAFDAC over alleged fees of ₦700,000 imposed on shop owners at the Onitsha Head Bridge Market for reopening after regulatory closures.

He labelled the charges “insensitive” and “economic sabotage” amid the financial struggles of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In its response, NAFDAC defended its actions as part of a national crackdown on unsafe drug markets in Lagos, Aba, and Onitsha between February and March 2025.

The agency disclosed that substandard and unregistered products worth over ₦1 trillion were seized and destroyed during the operation.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated:

“The warehouses, shops, and distribution outlets in these markets failed to meet Good Storage and Distribution Practice standards and were not registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria. These actions violated national laws.”

She added that the imposed fines; originally up to ₦5 million, had been significantly reduced after appeals and were applied fairly across all affected markets.

NAFDAC further stressed that it would not allow “attempts to derail critical regulatory reforms” and reaffirmed its mandate to protect public health, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.

Also read: NAFDAC shuts down illegal water factory in Nasarawa, arrests suspect

While Obi’s supporters argue his comments reflect public concern over harsh economic conditions, NAFDAC insists its operations are essential for eliminating unsafe medical products and enforcing lawful standards across Nigeria’s pharmaceutical trade.

See the statement below.

27 May, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
NAFDAC WARNS AGAINST INCITEMENT, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO DRUG
MARKET REFORMS AND PUBLIC SAFETY
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has become
aware of misleading videos circulating on social media, in which a social media influencer
attempts to incite traders at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market against the Federal
Government’s regulatory efforts. NAFDAC hereby alerts the public and relevant security
agencies to this incitement, which may amount to a breach of the Cybercrime Act.
Between February 9 and March 27, 2025, NAFDAC conducted a nationwide enforcement
operation targeting three major Open Drug Markets: Idumota (Lagos), Aba (Abia), and Onitsha
(Anambra). These operations resulted in the seizure and destruction of banned, expired,
falsified, and substandard medicines and controlled substances valued at over one trillion
Naira. Investigations revealed that the warehouses, shops, and distribution outlets in these
markets failed to meet Good Storage and Distribution Practice (GSDP) standards and were
not registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), in clear violation of national laws.
As part of regulatory actions, investigative charges were imposed on the offending operators
as stipulated in federal government regulations. These included:
¢ A $5,000,000 investigative charge for the sale of unregistered products, which was
reduced to #200,000 following appeals.
¢ A #2,000,000 investigative charge for violations of Good Storage and Distribution
Practices, reduced to #500,000 after further appeals.
These penalties are officially gazetted charges and were applied fairly across the affected
markets.
NAFDAC remains committed to its mandate of safeguarding public health by ensuring that all
medical products; drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and others circulating in Nigeria are safe,
effective, and of good quality. By enforcing compliance with regulations, the Agency aims to
protect the most vulnerable, including pregnant women, children, and individuals with chronic
conditions. NAFDAC assures the public that it will continue to operate within the bounds of its
legal mandate and will not be deterred by attempts to derail critical regulatory reforms.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, PhD, FAS
Director-General/CEO

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.