Dora Akunyili: The Woman Who Transformed NAFDAC and the Fight Against Fake Drugs in Nigeria

Dora Nkem Akunyili was a woman of courage, vision, and integrity. She is best remembered as the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), where she led a historic fight against counterfeit drugs in Nigeria. Her leadership not only saved countless lives but also restored public trust in Nigeria’s healthcare regulation system. This article explores her early life, achievements, and legacy, and examines whether NAFDAC today has sustained the standards she established.

Early Life and Education

Dora Nkem Akunyili was born on July 14, 1954, in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. She hailed from Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. Despite facing early life challenges, Dora excelled in her studies. She attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where she earned a degree in Pharmacy and later a PhD in Ethnopharmacology.

Her brilliance was evident from the start, she graduated with distinction and won the university’s best student award. Dora later became a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Pharmacologist at UNN’s College of Medicine.

Appointment as Director General of NAFDAC

In 2001, Dora Akunyili was appointed the Director General of NAFDAC by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo. At the time, Nigeria was facing a full-blown public health crisis caused by the widespread distribution of fake drugs. Counterfeit drugs had become so common that many Nigerians had lost faith in the healthcare system. Pharmacies were flooded with substandard or completely fake medications, resulting in thousands of avoidable deaths.

Her appointment marked a turning point. Dora took on the role with passion and purpose, determined to reform the agency and cleanse the drug market of deadly fakes.

Reforms and Achievements at NAFDAC

One of Dora Akunyili’s first actions as DG was to sanitize the drug importation and distribution process. She introduced stricter registration processes for pharmaceutical companies and implemented advanced drug-testing systems.

Key achievements during her time at NAFDAC include:

• Crackdown on Counterfeit Drugs: Dora launched a nationwide war against fake drugs. She led raids on markets, shut down illegal factories, and destroyed tons of counterfeit products.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: She took her message to the people, launching educational campaigns across media platforms to warn Nigerians about the dangers of counterfeit drugs.
• Technological Innovations: Under her leadership, NAFDAC introduced new technologies to identify fake drugs, including mobile verification systems.
• Transparency and Accountability: She made NAFDAC a model of transparency. Corrupt officers were dismissed, and regulatory procedures were overhauled.

Her dedication made headlines. Dora risked her life to do what many before her could not. She received death threats, and in 2003, she survived an assassination attempt in which her car was sprayed with bullets.

National and International Recognition

Dora Akunyili’s work was celebrated both locally and internationally. She received over 900 awards, making her one of the most decorated public servants in Nigerian history. Some of her notable awards include:

• Time Magazine’s “Heroes of Our Time”
• Transparency International Integrity Award
• Grassroots Human Rights Campaigner Award
• Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)

Her success also earned her positions on international health panels and speaking engagements across the globe.

Political Career

In 2008, Dora was appointed Minister of Information and Communication, where she launched the “Rebranding Nigeria” campaign. Though the campaign received mixed reactions, it was a bold attempt to reshape Nigeria’s image at home and abroad.

In 2011, she contested for a senatorial seat in Anambra but lost. Even so, her dedication to national service remained undeniable.

Personal Life and Death

Dora Akunyili was married to Dr. Chike Akunyili, a medical doctor. They had six children. She was a devout Catholic and lived her life with discipline and deep values.

She was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and sadly passed away in India on June 7, 2014, at the age of 59. Her death was a national tragedy. Tributes poured in from across the world, honoring her bravery, honesty, and service.

NAFDAC Today: Has It Lived Up to Dora Akunyili’s Legacy?

While Dora Akunyili’s legacy remains unmatched, recent developments show that the war against counterfeit drugs is far from over.

In 2025, NAFDAC made headlines again by seizing over 87 truckloads of counterfeit medicines and shutting down more than 11,000 shops across major markets in Onitsha, Aba, and Lagos. This large-scale enforcement involved over 1,100 security personnel and marked one of the most extensive operations in NAFDAC’s history.

However, these drastic steps also highlight a grim reality: the counterfeit drug problem has not been eradicated. According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, over 50% of medications in circulation today are either substandard or outright fake. In places like Aba’s Cemetery Market, NAFDAC officials uncovered over 240 illegal factories producing fake drugs using unclean water and dangerous chemicals.

Economic hardship is partly to blame. Many Nigerians are turning to cheaper, often substandard drugs, and some unscrupulous businesses are taking advantage of the situation. Alarmingly, it’s been reported that over 414,000 Nigerians die annually due to substandard drugs.

Corruption has also crept into the system. Human rights groups have accused officials from NAFDAC, Customs, and the Police of colluding with counterfeiters to allow fake drugs into the country. In response, NAFDAC’s current DG, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has called for the death penalty for offenders, stressing the urgent need for tougher laws.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. Increased surveillance, technology use, and public engagement campaigns have kept the fight alive. But many believe that the agency still lacks the fierce, unrelenting energy that defined Dora Akunyili’s tenure.

Her leadership was not just about law enforcement—it was about moral courage. She inspired confidence, demanded integrity, and made NAFDAC a feared name among drug counterfeiters. For Nigeria to truly uphold her legacy, NAFDAC must combine modern tools with fearless leadership and a deep commitment to public health.

A Legacy that Still Guides NAFDAC Today

More than a decade after Dora Akunyili’s passing, her legacy still guides the operations and vision of NAFDAC. The agency remains one of the most respected in the country, often referenced as a symbol of what Nigerian institutions can achieve with the right leadership.

Recent reforms under the current DG have included digital verification systems, partnerships with international agencies like the World Health Organization, and the introduction of community outreach programs in rural areas. These programs aim to educate the public, especially low-income earners, about the dangers of fake drugs and the importance of drug verification.

Dora Akunyili’s name still evokes respect and admiration within NAFDAC. New recruits are trained on the values she embodied honesty, service, courage, and resilience. Her story is a source of inspiration and serves as a benchmark for performance and ethics within the organization.

NAFDAC today may not have eradicated the problem entirely, but thanks to the foundation she laid, the agency has the tools and the public goodwill to continue the fight. Each milestone achieved is a reflection of Dora’s enduring impact on public health in Nigeria.

Legacy and Impact

Dora Akunyili changed the narrative around public service in Nigeria. She proved that with integrity and dedication, it is possible to make a difference. Her legacy continues through the Dora Akunyili Foundation, which supports healthcare, education, and anti-counterfeit drug campaigns.

Monuments have been named in her honor, including the Dora Akunyili Women Development Center in Awka, and her name is often cited as an example of excellence in governance and public service.

She inspired a new generation of Nigerians—especially women—to aspire to leadership with integrity. Dora was not just a public servant; she was a national icon.

Conclusion

Professor Dora Akunyili’s life was one of courage, commitment, and service. She transformed NAFDAC from a weak agency into a powerful force for good. Even though the fight against counterfeit drugs continues today, her impact remains deeply felt.

As Nigeria navigates ongoing healthcare challenges, one truth is clear: we need more leaders like Dora. Her legacy is not just in the awards she received or the policies she implemented, but in the countless lives she saved and the hope she gave to a nation.

If Nigeria is to win the war against counterfeit drugs, we must return to the principles Dora stood for: honesty, transparency, and service to humanity.