NAFDAC Shuts Chinese Supermarkets, Cosmetics Shops in Abuja Over Unregistered Products

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday sealed two Chinese supermarkets and eight cosmetics shops in Abuja for breaching Nigeria’s food and drug regulations.

The supermarkets, located on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street in Jabi, were found selling unregistered food products labelled only in Chinese, contrary to NAFDAC’s rule requiring English translations on all regulated items.

In a statement, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Adegboyega Osiyemi, said the enforcement followed credible consumer complaints and surveillance by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in collaboration with the Federal Taskforce on Counterfeit and Substandard Medicines and Unwholesome Processed Foods. The operation was led by Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, Musa Embugushiki.

At one Jabi outlet, a foreign national reportedly denied the supermarket was open, but officials confirmed that unregistered products were being sold.

In a related clampdown, eight cosmetics shops at Wuse Market were sealed for selling banned, expired, and unregistered products such as aphrodisiacs and skin-whitening items.

Confiscated products worth over ₦170 million included Wenicks Capsules, Maxman Capsules, Boobs Enlargement supplements, Curvy Weight Gain products, Skin Whitening Gummies, Collagen, Royal Jelly, Glutathione Whitening Gummies, White Doll, Dr. Gallery Plus, Maiz Zaki Syrup, and other unapproved herbal mixtures.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the exercise was to safeguard Nigerians from harmful chemicals linked to kidney damage, skin cancer, memory loss, and irritability. She urged consumers to purchase only registered products and reminded foreign investors to register their goods before selling in Nigeria.

“We welcome legitimate trade partnerships from Nigerians and foreign nationals, but we will not compromise on public health. Any act of selling unregistered or toxic products will face strict regulatory action,” Adeyeye stated.

The agency further appealed to the public to report suspicious products or outlets to NAFDAC offices nationwide.