The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed that it generated N2.5 billion from its recent crackdown on illicit drug markets in Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba.
According to NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye,
who revealed this during a session before the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drug Administration and Control in Abuja,
the funds were fines collected from traders found guilty of selling fake or substandard drugs during the enforcement operations.
Adeyeye disclosed that the agency spent N996 million on enforcement operations, borrowed N159 million from a donor grant, and allocated N1.175 billion to regulatory expenses, leaving the agency with approximately N206 million.
The enforcement drive, which involved over 1,300 security personnel, uncovered widespread violations, including expired and unapproved drugs, poor storage practices, and distribution of banned substances like Tramadol.
Adeyeye lamented that NAFDAC’s inability to sustain critical operations is being crippled by severe revenue restrictions imposed by the federal government. She explained that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has classified NAFDAC as a revenue-generating agency and is sweeping up to 50% of all revenue inflows into the federal treasury.
The agency’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Adeniji Nma, clarified that the OAGF’s actions have severely impacted NAFDAC’s operations, making it difficult for the agency to carry out its mandate.
The House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drug Administration and Control has directed NAFDAC to return with a comprehensive, location-by-location account of the N2.5 billion generated from the raids.
