In its continued drive to curb the proliferation of counterfeit medicines and unwholesome processed foods, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has inaugurated the Edo State Federal Task Force (FTF) on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods.
The Edo State FTF team was inaugurated on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by its chairman, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, who is the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC.
Dr. Iluyomade explained that the inauguration of the Federal Task Force in Edo State is part of a nationwide strategy to strengthen NAFDAC’s enforcement architecture and improve operational effectiveness.
He noted that similar task forces are being established across various states to bring regulatory oversight closer to the grassroots and ensure faster response to the menace of counterfeit drugs and unsafe food products.
According to him, decentralising the Task Force will allow it to operate directly within states, enhance intelligence gathering, and foster closer collaboration with security agencies and other critical stakeholders.
He emphasised that the Federal Task Force is backed by Nigerian law and duly established by the Federal Government to enforce compliance, conduct raids, and prosecute offenders involved in the production and distribution of fake and substandard products.
He added that the inauguration of the Edo State team underscores the agency’s commitment to ensuring that the Task Force’s mandate is effectively executed at the sub-national level, thereby safeguarding public health and protecting consumers from harmful and potentially life-threatening products.
The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, was present at the event, indicating the state government’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving public health and ensuring effective implementation of health policies.
