The agency disclosed that its investigation followed a report published by The Guardian on October 10, 2026, concerning herbal products allegedly carrying registration details that did not correspond with their actual identities.
According to NAFDAC, an investigative team was deployed to conduct surveillance on the suspected operation. The exercise subsequently led to the discovery of three variants of Asheitu Adams Bitters bearing NAFDAC Registration Number A7-1827L.
The discovery raised concerns over the authenticity of the products and whether they had undergone the regulatory assessment required before herbal medicines could be manufactured and distributed for public consumption.
NAFDAC said verification through its National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) portal showed that the registration number displayed on the herbal products actually belonged to Greentol Cough Syrup.
The discrepancy confirmed that the registration number had been fraudulently used on the Asheitu Adams Bitters products, according to the agency.
The use of an unrelated registration number on a product can mislead consumers into believing that the product has been properly registered and assessed by the relevant regulatory authority.
NAFDAC’s intervention is part of its responsibility to monitor regulated products, investigate suspected violations and protect consumers against potentially unsafe or improperly manufactured medicines and other health-related products.
During the operation, the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer was reportedly absent from the facility. However, the company manager was arrested by the investigative team for further interrogation.
The agency did not provide further details about the manager’s identity, the quantity of products recovered or whether additional arrests had been made at the time of the announcement.
It was also not immediately clear whether laboratory tests had been conducted on the products to establish their ingredients, quality and potential health risks.
Nevertheless, the discovery of herbal products carrying a registration number assigned to a different medicine highlights the importance of verifying product information before purchasing or consuming herbal preparations.
Herbal products are widely used in Nigeria, with many consumers relying on them for various health concerns. However, products manufactured outside established regulatory requirements may pose risks if their ingredients, manufacturing processes, quality and safety have not been adequately assessed.
The fraudulent use of registration numbers can also undermine public confidence in legitimate manufacturers whose products have undergone the appropriate regulatory procedures.
NAFDAC has repeatedly encouraged consumers to check product registration details and report suspected counterfeit, falsified or unregistered products to the agency.
Consumers are advised not to assume that a product is genuine merely because its packaging displays a NAFDAC registration number. The number should correspond with the actual product and its registered identity.
In the case of the Asheitu Adams Bitters variants discovered in Agege, the agency’s verification showed that the displayed number was associated with Greentol Cough Syrup rather than the herbal products in question.
The investigation is expected to establish further details about the manufacturing operation and the circumstances surrounding the alleged misuse of the registration number.
NAFDAC has urged members of the public to provide credible information that could help identify illegal manufacturing facilities and other suspected violations of product regulations.
The agency said reports could be made through its call centre on 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322. Members of the public may also send information to reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.
The agency’s appeal underscores the role consumers and members of the public can play in identifying suspicious products and supporting regulatory enforcement.
As investigations continue, consumers are encouraged to exercise caution when purchasing herbal medicines, verify registration information through official channels and report products suspected of carrying false regulatory details.
NAFDAC’s findings at the Agege facility reinforce the need for effective monitoring of herbal product manufacturers and strict enforcement of registration requirements to protect public health.
