By Nkechi Eze
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed two Chinese-owned supermarkets in the Jabi District of Abuja, along with eight cosmetics shops in Wuse Market, following multiple violations of Nigeria’s food and drug laws, including the sale of unregistered, banned, and improperly labelled products.
In an official statement signed by Deputy Director of Public Relations, Adegboyega Osiyemi, NAFDAC confirmed that the clampdown was carried out by its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in collaboration with the Federal Taskforce on Counterfeit and Substandard Medicines and Unwholesome Processed Foods. The enforcement team was led by Mr. Musa Embugushiki, an Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer.
According to the agency, the two supermarkets located on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street in Jabi were sealed after credible consumer complaints and subsequent surveillance revealed that operators were selling unregistered food items labelled exclusively in Chinese language. This practice, NAFDAC stressed, violates its mandatory labelling policy which requires all regulated products in Nigeria to carry English translations for regulatory understanding and consumer safety.
Despite initial denials by a foreign national at the Ebitu Ukiwe outlet claiming the supermarket was yet to commence operation, investigators discovered that the store was fully operational and actively selling unregistered goods.
In a related operation, eight cosmetics shops in Wuse Market were shut down for marketing banned, expired, and unregistered products, including aphrodisiacs and aesthetic medicines. Investigations further revealed that some individuals were posing as dermatologists and pharmacists, prescribing and selling harmful products under the guise of body enhancement, skin whitening, and “manpower” solutions for men.
Products seized during the operation included Wenicks Capsules, Maxman Capsules, Boobs Enlargement, Curvy Weight Gain, Skin Whitening Vitamin Gummies, Collagen, Royal Jelly, Glutathione Whitening Gummies, White Doll, Dr. Gallery Plus, Maiz Zaki Syrup, Original Herbal Yellow Fever, Sickle Cell Medicine, Dr. Nafisa Herbal Medicine, Dynewell Syrup, White Blinks, among others.
Acting on the directive of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the enforcement team evacuated the offending products valued at over ₦170 million. Prof. Adeyeye reiterated that the agency remains committed to protecting Nigerians from exposure to dangerous chemicals and toxic substances, which are linked to serious health complications such as skin cancer, kidney damage, irritability, and memory loss.
“NAFDAC welcomes legitimate trade partnerships from both Nigerians and foreign nationals, but we will not compromise on public health. Any act of selling unregistered or toxic products shall be met with strict regulatory action,” Embugushiki stated on behalf of the DG.
The agency further advised Nigerian consumers to only patronize products duly registered by NAFDAC and urged foreign nationals and investors seeking to do business in Nigeria to visit NAFDAC offices nationwide for product registration and regulatory guidance. It also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious sales outlets or questionable products to the nearest NAFDAC office.
