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 at the orientation camp in Agwu, Enugu State, following reports linking the incident to the use of substandard or falsified medicines.

In a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC said preliminary information indicated that the corps member was first taken to the camp clinic on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, with symptoms suggestive of severe malaria and a history of peptic ulcer disease.

He was treated, stabilised and discharged the following morning with oral medications.

However, he returned to the clinic on Saturday, October 10, with right thigh pain, profuse sweating and recurrent episodes of low blood pressure.

According to the agency, his condition deteriorated, with poor urine output despite fluid resuscitation, prompting his referral to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, where he became comatose.

Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

NAFDAC said the preliminary clinical assessment identified the suspected cause of death as acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock.

It, however, cautioned that the preliminary findings did not establish whether the medicines administered to the deceased contributed to his death.

The agency said its officers had visited the camp clinic, interviewed the attending medical personnel and other staff, and collected samples of the medicines for laboratory analysis.

It added that further regulatory action would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.

NAFDAC commiserated with the family of the deceased and urged the public to remain calm while investigations continued.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that medicines available in Nigeria meet the required standards of safety, quality and efficacy.

The agency urged the public not to speculate on the cause of death pending the outcome of its investigation.

Members of the public can direct complaints and enquiries to the NAFDAC Call Centre on 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322, or via email at reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.