Nigerians and Fake Products: Are We Really Safe? –By Matthew Ma

Imagine entering a pharmacy to buy life-saving blood pressure medication, only to find your blood pressure remains dangerously high. Picture traveling home for Christmas with drinks meant to create lasting memories, only to be hospitalized after drinking them. Envision buying a body lotion meant to nourish your skin, only to discover it discolors your knuckles. Imagine buying a counterfeit or substandard electrical appliance, only to realize it causes a fire or electrocution. Consider buying palm oil to cook your family’s favorite meal, unaware that the vibrant red liquid is actually made from paint. Or imagine buying fruit for your children, convinced it ripened naturally, without knowing it was artificially treated with calcium carbide. For millions of Nigerians, these scenarios are not mere possibilities; they reflect a growing concern about the safety and authenticity of products consumed daily in homes, workplaces, markets, and hospitals. This situation not only causes anxiety but also poses serious threats to public health, consumers, and national development. The proliferation of counterfeit and substandard products in Nigeria raises a critical question: Are we really safe? Can we genuinely consider ourselves secure as consumers in a market overshadowed by deceit and inferior goods?

Counterfeit products remain a major issue in many Nigerian markets. Consumers face risks when buying medicines, food, cosmetics, automotive parts, electronics, and household goods. Many counterfeit goods closely replicate the packaging, labeling, and trademarks of authentic brands, making it difficult even for vigilant buyers to distinguish them. For instance, recent enforcement operations by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos and Aba uncovered suspected activities involving counterfeit beverages and packaging materials bearing well-known brand names. At Zamfara Plaza within the BBA Trade Fair Complex on the Badagry Expressway in Lagos, NAFDAC operatives discovered a suspected facility in a two-story building where alcoholic and energy drinks were allegedly produced or repackaged illegally. During the operation, officials seized drums, filters, packaging materials, a heating device, and other equipment used in these illicit activities. The Lagos operation was not the only significant discovery. In Aba, Abia State, NAFDAC raided shops in the Old Court Road Market, an area recognized for counterfeiting and producing packaging materials for well-known spirits, wines, and other regulated products. The agency recovered substantial quantities of labels, corks, and packaging materials bearing reputable brand names. Among the identified products were Jameson, Glenfiddich, Four Cousins, Lord’s Dry Gin, and Imperial Blue. Investigators also found materials featuring names such as Chelsea, Squadron, and Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps, as well as packaging related to Goya oil.

The findings from Lagos and Aba illustrate the complex, pervasive nature of Nigeria’s counterfeit trade. This issue is not confined to these cities; it persists across numerous urban and rural areas nationwide. Such widespread challenges require a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond seizing finished counterfeit products. Effective intervention requires thorough investigations into the individuals, manufacturers, suppliers, raw materials, distribution networks, and supply chains that sustain this illicit trade. Counterfeit products also pose varying health risks. Some items with fraudulent branding may contain authentic beverages repackaged without authorization, while others are diluted, adulterated, or made with harmful ingredients, creating significant health hazards. Additionally, some products have altered expiration dates, enabling vendors to sell them quickly for profit at the expense of consumer safety. This variability underscores the urgent need for a strategic, informed approach that emphasizes both enforcement and consumer education to safeguard public health.

The consequences of counterfeit products are often severe. A patient with malaria may take what appears to be the correct treatment but still fail to recover. An individual with hypertension may continue taking medication without achieving blood pressure control. A pregnant woman may unknowingly consume a falsified supplement, and a family may exhaust its savings treating an illness that does not respond to medication. Substandard electrical equipment poses significant risks, including electric shocks and fire hazards. Equipment that fails to meet safety standards can malfunction, creating dangerous situations in homes and workplaces. Similarly, counterfeit vehicle spare parts pose a serious road hazard. Although these parts may seem appealing because of their low cost, they often lack the quality and reliability of genuine components, leading to catastrophic failures that endanger drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. The risks associated with counterfeit products also extend to personal care and cosmetics. Many unsafe cosmetics contain harmful ingredients that can cause skin irritation, severe burns, allergic reactions, and long-term dermatological problems. In each scenario, the consumer acted reasonably: purchasing a product, following instructions, and trusting the system intended to protect them.

Addressing the widespread issue of counterfeit products requires strong leadership and rigorous regulation. Dora Akunyili, a pharmacist and professor of pharmacology, exemplified this leadership as Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) beginning in April 2001. Under her leadership, she launched a comprehensive campaign to protect Nigerians from fake and substandard medicines, a mission rooted in personal tragedy. The catalyst for Akunyili’s commitment was a devastating experience in 1988, when her sister, who suffered from diabetes, died after being treated with what Akunyili strongly suspected was counterfeit insulin. The medication, intended to manage her sister’s diabetes, allegedly lacked insulin and was contaminated with harmful substances. This loss served as a pivotal moment for Akunyili, fueling her determination to address the threat of counterfeit medications. During her tenure at NAFDAC, Akunyili advocated for stronger regulations, conducted awareness campaigns, and implemented stringent oversight to ensure pharmaceutical safety and efficacy. Her dedication significantly advanced public health initiatives and earned national and international recognition, establishing her as a leader in the global fight against counterfeit drugs.

The example of Dora Akunyili shows that counterfeit products are not only a commercial issue but also a fundamental public safety concern. Both consumers and society have a vested interest in raising awareness and enforcing measures against the distribution and use of these hazardous goods. However, responsibility extends beyond consumers. The production, importation, distribution, and sale of counterfeit goods involve a broader chain of accountability. Manufacturers must safeguard their brands and ensure product quality. Importers and distributors should verify the authenticity of the goods they supply. Traders must avoid profiting from deception, and consumers must remain vigilant in their purchasing decisions. Government agencies play a critical role in ensuring product safety and compliance. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regulates products, while the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) must enhance market surveillance, increase public awareness, and take decisive action against violators. Effective border controls, thorough inspections, product authentication systems, and robust prosecution strategies are essential to combating counterfeit goods. Nevertheless, enforcement alone is insufficient. Public education must be prioritized. Consumers should learn to scrutinize product labels, check expiration dates, verify registration or authentication details through official channels, and purchase high-risk products only from reputable suppliers. Suspicious products should be reported to the relevant regulatory authorities. Manufacturers should also invest in tamper-evident packaging, traceability systems, and accessible authentication methods for customers.

Technology can play a significant role in combating counterfeiting. Verified digital identification systems, secure QR codes, product-tracking mechanisms, and consumer reporting platforms can help keep counterfeit goods out of legitimate supply chains. However, these tools must be reliable and backed by effective enforcement; a barcode or QR code alone does not guarantee authenticity. Beyond technology, Nigeria must address the culture of dishonesty that perpetuates the counterfeit trade. The pursuit of profit should never outweigh the value of human life. Sellers who deliberately mislead consumers must face consequences, and consumers should reject the normalization of counterfeit products, regardless of how prevalent or inexpensive they are. Additionally, businesses that produce genuine goods deserve protection from unfair competition that undermines investment, innovation, and job creation.

Government assurances alone are insufficient to ensure that Nigerians feel safe. True safety requires effective regulation, responsible business practices, informed consumers, and a justice system that holds offenders accountable. All stakeholders must recognize that the consequences of counterfeit trade extend far beyond the marketplace. Nigeria cannot achieve a healthy, productive, and prosperous society while consumers remain uncertain about the authenticity and safety of essential products. The fight against counterfeit goods must move beyond sporadic raids and public statements toward sustained enforcement, transparent accountability, and comprehensive consumer education. All Nigerians should regard counterfeit products as a serious national issue, not an unavoidable aspect of daily commerce. The government must enforce the law, businesses must prioritize integrity, and consumers must demand quality and safety. Are we truly safe? The answer is no. We cannot consider ourselves safe until we can trust the products we buy, hold deceitful individuals accountable, prioritize public safety over illegal profits, and foster an environment where people can report illicit products without fear of retaliation. This trust is essential not only for individual well-being but also for the broader community. Therefore, the fight against counterfeit products must extend beyond market raids and destruction exercises; it must also hold manufacturers and retailers accountable for misleading claims and dishonest practices that deceive consumers. Protecting Nigerians’ lives should never be negotiable; everyone shares this responsibility.

Rev. Ma, S.J., is a Jesuit priest and public policy analyst. He currently writes from Abuja, Nigeria.