Nigeria busts hidden warehouse with N3 billion in fake cosmetics and banned soaps
Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a hidden warehouse filled with counterfeit and unregistered cosmetic products. The seized goods, valued at over N3 billion, were discovered at the APT Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State. Authorities have since removed all items to prevent them from reaching the market.
The warehouse, concealed inside an uncompleted building, contained large quantities of banned and falsified products. Among the items recovered were 728 cartons of Crusader soap, 718 cartons of E45 soap, and Extract Gold whitening soaps—all prohibited by the Federal Government. Additional products, including assorted perfumes, body oils, and cooking oils, were also found and placed on hold for further checks.
NAFDAC has intensified efforts to crack down on illegal goods in recent years. Between 2024 and 2025, the agency seized over 1.2 million units of unregistered or falsified products nationwide. Lagos, Kano, Anambra, Oyo, and Rivers States have been hotspots for such discoveries. Counterfeit cosmetics often contain toxic chemicals, harmful bleaching agents, or contaminated ingredients, posing serious risks like skin damage and long-term health issues.
The warehouse manager has been called in for questioning. NAFDAC has also urged the public to report any suspicious storage or sale of regulated products to the nearest agency office.
All seized products have been evacuated to prevent distribution. NAFDAC remains committed to ensuring only safe, quality, and properly registered goods reach consumers. The agency continues to monitor markets and enforce regulations to protect public health.
