Customs, NAFDAC Move from Talk to Action: Joint Committee Set to Tackle Fake Drugs and Illicit Imports


     
Fake Drugs and Illicit Goods: Customs, NAFDAC Unite to Protect Nigerians

In a decisive move to curb the circulation of harmful and substandard goods in Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have jointly inaugurated an Implementation Committee to enforce their 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The announcement came during an official visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

The newly inaugurated committee is tasked with translating the signed MoU into concrete, measurable outcomes aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s borders against dangerous imports — from counterfeit pharmaceuticals to unregulated consumables.

This collaboration, officials say, marks a turning point in regulatory enforcement. It signals a shift from mere policy declarations to operational synergy that will directly impact public health and safety.

“Your consistent call for deeper collaboration is commendable,” CGC Adeniyi said to Prof. Adeyeye. “This committee will breathe life into our shared vision of protecting Nigerians from harmful and unregulated substances.”

According to Adeniyi, the Terms of Reference for the committee have already been developed, covering coordination of training, operational standardization, joint communication strategies, and robust monitoring frameworks. The legal enforceability of the MoU is also affirmed under Nigerian law.
Prof. Adeyeye, in response, expressed confidence in the committee's potential, stressing that NAFDAC views Customs not just as a border enforcement agency, but as a strategic partner in the national fight against counterfeit and dangerous products.

With representatives drawn from both agencies, the committee will be chaired by Olakunle Olaniran (NAFDAC) and deputized by Customs’ Legal Adviser, Smart Akande.

Over 10,000 Donkey Genitals Seized: Customs Exposes Sophisticated Wildlife Trafficking Syndicates

In another major anti-smuggling breakthrough, the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a container loaded with over 10,000 donkey genitals, shedding light on the growing scale of illegal wildlife trafficking across Nigeria’s borders.
The seizure, made on June 5, 2025, along the Kaduna–Abuja Highway, was revealed during a press briefing on July 10 by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, on behalf of the CGC.

This operation, executed by the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit, was based on precise intelligence and surveillance. The intercepted container is part of a broader investigation into wildlife crimes tied to international smuggling rings.

“These seizures go beyond animal cruelty or conservation,” said CGC Adeniyi. “They’re tied to organised transnational crimes — money laundering, arms smuggling, and illicit currency movements.”

He noted that the seized items will be officially handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in line with existing inter-agency protocols.

Recent achievements of the Customs Wildlife Office reveal the scale of the illegal trade:

Over 120 African Grey Parrots rescued in Adamawa

213 parrot heads and 128 hornbill heads seized in Cross River

Life-sized lion specimens, pangolin scales, zebra hides, and other taxidermy items intercepted

Arrests and handovers made in Lagos, Kano, Calabar, and Oyo State


Assistant Comptroller Anuhu Mani, who heads the SWO, praised the collaborative efforts of local and international partners including Wildlife Conservation Society, Wild Power Trust, and Green Fingers, noting that digital tools and forensics are enhancing enforcement capacity.



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