Nigeria’s struggle against illicit drugs has escalated in 2025, with authorities exposing extensive networks of trafficking and counterfeiting that endanger public health.
A notable seizure by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos on September 12, 2025, exemplifies the magnitude of the issue. Operatives confiscated 277 cartons of counterfeit Amoxicillin capsules and Ampiclox valued at N1.2 billion, intended for widespread distribution. This incident, part of a broader clampdown, demonstrates how regional networks propel the influx of fake medicines and narcotics, undermining public health and economic stability.
As counterfeit drugs inundate markets in states like Lagos, Delta, and Rivers. We are compelled to advocate for stronger regulatory enforcement to curb this surge, referencing recent cases and expert analyses to emphasise the urgency.
The illicit drug trade in Nigeria is intricately linked with West African networks, positioning the country as a key transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Europe. In September 2025, a massive 9.6 tonnes of cocaine worth N819 billion was intercepted off the West African coast, implicating Nigerian ports in the supply chain.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that West Africa handles about 18 tonnes of cocaine annually, down from 47 tonnes in 2007, but Nigeria’s role has expanded due to porous borders and corruption. Domestic production of methamphetamine and cannabis adds complexity to a sad situation with seizures in states like Ondo and Rivers revealing syndicates operating across borders.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) destroyed 8,000 kilograms of illicit drugs in Yobe on October 14, 2025, including cannabis and opioids, seized from local traffickers. In Jigawa, police arrested 105 suspects and confiscated 5,000 illicit drugs in simultaneous raids, targeting networks linked to neighbouring states. These operations illustrate how trafficking fuels violence, with drugs funding banditry in the Northwest.
Counterfeit medicines constitute a particularly insidious dimension, comprising up to 10-41 per cent of pharmaceuticals in Nigeria, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates. These fakes, often imported through West African routes, contain incorrect ingredients or none at all, leading to treatment failures and resistance. In August 2025, NAFDAC seized 10,000 cartons of unregistered tomato paste and fake goods in Lagos, valued at millions, part of a pattern where substandard products infiltrate markets. A major bust in Port Harcourt saw Customs hand over fake drugs worth billions to NAFDAC, including counterfeit antimalarials and antibiotics. In Delta State, police arrested two drug dealers in September 2025, recovering substances linked to regional suppliers. These incidents reflect a thriving black market, with Nigeria losing billions annually to fake drugs, as per a 2023 PwC report.
The health risks are profound and multifaceted. Counterfeit antimalarials, prevalent in states like Lagos and Kano, contribute to 200,000 annual malaria deaths in Nigeria, many from treatment failure. A 2023 study in the African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology notes that fake antibiotics foster antimicrobial resistance, complicating infections and raising healthcare costs. In one tragic case, contaminated cough syrup in Gambia in 2022, traced to Indian suppliers via Nigerian channels, killed 64 children from kidney failure, prompting global alerts. Locally, NAFDAC’s 2025 seizures in Ibadan destroyed N15 billion worth of expired and fake drugs, including opioids causing addiction epidemics in the North. Experts from the WHO warn that substandard drugs exacerbate non-communicable diseases, with fake hypertension medications leading to strokes in urban areas like Abuja.
To deepen the analysis, the economic and social ramifications reveal a vicious cycle. Counterfeit drugs not only cause direct health harm but also erode trust in healthcare systems, leading to self-medication and higher mortality rates. A 2025 Frontiers in Public Health study estimates that fake medicines contribute to 100,000-500,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria bearing a significant burden due to its population and import reliance. Trafficking networks exploit weak borders, as seen in INTERPOL’s Operation Storm in January 2025, which netted 45 arrests and millions in seizures across West Africa, including Nigerian frontiers. These operations disrupt livelihoods, with drug-funded militancy in the Niger Delta and Northeast displacing communities and stifling agriculture. Socially, addiction epidemics in states like Kano, where tramadol abuse is rife, fuel crime and family breakdowns, as per UNODC reports.
Positively, enforcement has yielded gains. NAFDAC’s raids in 2025 have confiscated over N50 billion in fakes, reducing prevalence from 16.7 per cent in 2006 to around 10 per cent today. NDLEA’s arrests of 17 traffickers with 180,000 pills in Lagos, Ondo, and Rivers in October 2025 disrupted supply chains. INTERPOL’s Operation Pangea XVII in June 2025 netted $65 million in unapproved medicines globally, including Nigerian contributions. These efforts have curbed some inflows, with cocaine transits declining due to better maritime surveillance. Public awareness campaigns have encouraged reporting, as seen in social media drives.
Nevertheless, negative impacts persist. The trade fuels organised crime, with Nigerian couriers central to Brazil-West Africa routes. Health crises from fakes include organ damage and deaths, with a 2022 PMC study linking them to public health threats. Economic hardship exacerbates demand for cheap counterfeits, as noted in a Hindu report on cost-of-living woes. In states like Anambra, fake sexual enhancement pills seized in August 2025 posed risks of heart failure.
To improve, Nigeria must strengthen NAFDAC and NDLEA through better funding and technology, as experts from Global Initiative recommend. Regional cooperation via UNODC’s CONNECT initiative could dismantle networks. Public opinions on social media call for harsher penalties, like death for counterfeiters. Enforcing track-and-trace systems and border controls would revitalise the fight.
This newspaper is persuaded to argue that Nigeria’s illicit drug trade demands robust regulatory enforcement to safeguard health and economy. By learning from recent seizures, the nation can forge a safer future.
