Nigeria’s Fake Drug Crisis: Adeyanju Seeks State Of Emergency

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over the growing circulation of fake and substandard drugs and other consumer products in Nigeria.

Adeyanju also called for changes in the leadership of key regulatory agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

In a statement released in Abuja, the lawyer specifically demanded the removal of NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, alongside the heads of other regulatory agencies he believes have failed to adequately protect Nigerian consumers.

Adeyanju said the increasing availability of counterfeit and substandard products demonstrated the need for urgent government intervention and a comprehensive review of the country’s regulatory system.

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He alleged that NAFDAC had not been able to effectively stop the circulation of fake medicines and other potentially harmful products. He raised similar concerns about SON and other institutions responsible for ensuring that products sold to Nigerians meet required standards.

According to Adeyanju, consumers are being exposed to potentially dangerous products, including medicines that may be improperly stored.

He expressed concern over reports of drugs being sold in large quantities in open markets, where they could be exposed to excessive heat and other unsuitable conditions.

“No responsible government should expose its citizens to such risks and expect mortality rates not to rise,” he said.

Adeyanju urged President Tinubu to take decisive steps to strengthen regulatory enforcement and ensure that agencies responsible for consumer safety are held accountable.

He called for the appointment of what he described as competent leadership capable of restoring confidence in the regulatory system.

“The President must be alive to his responsibility and act decisively by removing the Director-General of NAFDAC and the heads of other failed regulatory agencies, including SON,” he said.

The lawyer further urged the Federal Government to review existing regulatory policies and enforcement mechanisms to prevent counterfeit and substandard products from reaching consumers.

Adeyanju maintained that the issue should be treated as a national emergency because of its potential consequences for public health.

“Nigerians cannot continue to pay with their lives for regulatory failure,” he added.