The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed that fake cosmetics and beverages account for more than half of all counterfeiting cases recorded in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press briefing to mark World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, the NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Counterfeit Products, Martin Iluyomade, said the agency remains committed to a zero-tolerance approach to counterfeiting under the leadership of Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.
Iluyomade, who raised concerns over the growing threat posed by counterfeit products to public health and the economy, said counterfeit medicines, fake cosmetics, unregulated beverages, and other falsified products continue to endanger Nigerians’ lives while undermining consumer confidence, economic growth, and national development.
He revealed that the cosmetics and beverage sectors remain the most vulnerable to product falsification, accounting for the majority of cases handled by the agency.
“Counterfeit products pose serious risks to public health and safety. The prevalence of fake cosmetics and beverages is particularly alarming because these are products consumed daily by millions of Nigerians,” he said.
The NAFDAC official disclosed that the agency has intensified surveillance, intelligence gathering, investigations and enforcement activities nationwide to curb the spread of counterfeit goods.
He cited major operations conducted in markets across Onitsha, Aba, Lagos and the Trade Fair Complex, which led to the seizure and destruction of thousands of cartons of counterfeit and unregistered products.
Iluyomade also highlighted recent successes in prosecuting offenders, noting that some convicted counterfeiters received cumulative prison sentences totalling 40 years after being found guilty on multiple charges related to the production and distribution of counterfeit products.
The agency, however, expressed concern over evolving smuggling tactics that are making it easier for counterfeiters to bring fake goods into the country.
According to him, logistics operators are increasingly being used to facilitate the importation of counterfeit products, particularly from China, allowing criminals to place orders remotely and receive deliveries directly in Nigeria without travelling abroad.
“The entry barrier to counterfeiting has been drastically lowered. People can now order counterfeit products from their shops and have them delivered to their doorsteps,” he said.
He further alleged that some importers exploit loopholes in group cargo shipments to bring in counterfeit goods without adequate inspection, calling for stricter monitoring of imports, bonded terminals and packaging materials used by counterfeit syndicates.
Iluyomade noted that counterfeiters now replicate genuine products with remarkable accuracy, including packaging designs and registration numbers, making it increasingly difficult for consumers to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits.
To tackle the menace, he called for stronger collaboration among regulatory agencies, manufacturers, distributors, healthcare professionals, security agencies, the media and consumers.
He commended the company for its cooperation with NAFDAC under an existing Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen border controls and intercept illicit products before they enter the market.
The NAFDAC director also urged Nigerians to purchase products only from authorised distributors and reputable outlets, warning against suspiciously cheap products and imitation brands.
“If your money cannot buy the original product, it is better not to buy a counterfeit version. There is only one genuine product from the manufacturer; there is no number two or number three version,” he said.
Iluyomade reiterated that combating counterfeiting requires collective vigilance and public participation, assuring Nigerians that NAFDAC would continue to identify, prosecute and bring to justice individuals involved in the production, importation and distribution of counterfeit products across the country.
