The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched an investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Etimbuk Daniel, at the orientation camp in Enugu State, following allegations that he may have been treated with fake medication.
Daniel, a native of Akwa Ibom State in southern Nigeria, was the immediate past President of the Students’ Union Government of Akwa Ibom State University.
The investigation follows claims by the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Afeez, who alleged in a Facebook statement published on October 11 that a doctor had confirmed that the medication administered to the deceased at the camp was fake.
However, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency would investigate the allegation to determine whether substandard or falsified medicines were involved in the treatment of the corps member.
In a statement on Monday, Adeyeye urged the public to avoid drawing conclusions about the cause of death until the investigation is completed.
According to preliminary information provided to the agency, Daniel was first taken to the camp clinic on Wednesday, October 7, with symptoms suggestive of severe malaria and a history of peptic ulcer disease.
He was reportedly treated and stabilised before being discharged the following morning with oral medications.
Adeyeye explained that the corps member returned to the clinic on Saturday, October 10, complaining of pain in his right thigh, excessive sweating and recurring episodes of low blood pressure.
She said his condition deteriorated, with reduced urine output despite efforts to administer fluids, prompting his referral to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
Daniel reportedly became comatose at the hospital, and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
NAFDAC said preliminary clinical assessments suggested that acute kidney injury resulting from severe dehydration and shock may have caused his death.
However, the agency stressed that these findings were preliminary and did not establish whether the medicines administered during his treatment contributed to the fatal outcome.
As part of its investigation, NAFDAC officials have visited the NYSC camp clinic, interviewed medical personnel involved in the treatment and other staff members, and collected samples of the medicines for laboratory testing.
Adeyeye said the agency would take appropriate regulatory action based on the findings.
She also expressed condolences to Daniel’s family and appealed to Nigerians to remain calm while the investigation continues.
The NAFDAC chief reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that medicines available in Nigeria meet established standards of safety, quality and efficacy.
The development comes after the Nigerian Senate ordered an investigation into Daniel’s death, while also directing an examination of the state of healthcare facilities in NYSC orientation camps across the country.
The outcome of the investigations is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the corps member’s death and determine whether any lapses occurred in the medicines supplied or the medical care provided at the camp.
