Nigeria activist calls for state of emergency over fake drugs

Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency regarding the widespread proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs and consumer products in Nigeria. Adeyanju criticized the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), alleging they have failed to protect citizens from unsafe goods being sold openly in markets.

Adeyanju urged the removal of the Director-General of NAFDAC and other regulatory heads, demanding the appointment of more competent leadership to strengthen enforcement. He emphasized that the current regulatory failures are causing preventable loss of life.

The Director-General of NAFDAC has rejected calls for her resignation. Defending her record, she noted that she inherited significant liabilities and non-functional laboratory equipment, stating that she has implemented reforms to improve the agency's maturity level and has cleared a large portion of inherited debts.