RismadarVoice Reporters
September 5, 2026
Public outrage has intensified across Nigeria following viral social media campaigns exposing a widespread proliferation of counterfeit, substandard, and hazardous consumer products ranging from pharmaceuticals and toothpaste to food and beverages in open markets across the country.
The public outcry has brought renewed scrutiny to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), with citizens, healthcare professionals, and legal experts demanding urgent regulatory intervention and institutional accountability.
The digital awareness campaign gained momentum following public reports linking sudden illnesses and organ failures to adulterated goods, alongside viral videos from medical professionals demonstrating side-by-side comparisons between genuine and counterfeit products.
Medical experts have raised alarms over the severe health implications associated with consuming falsified goods, including;
Pharmaceuticals: Substandard antimalarials, antibiotics, and analgesics lacking active pharmaceutical ingredients or containing toxic substitutes prolong illness, accelerate drug resistance, and contribute to preventable fatalities.
Food and Beverages: Adulterated items including dyed palm oil, counterfeit dairy products, and unsafe alcoholic beverages frequently contain industrial chemicals, mercury, and heavy metals linked to acute liver and kidney failure.
Oral Care and Cosmetics: Counterfeit toothpastes and cosmetics incorporating industrial solvents such as diethylene glycol pose toxicological risks to consumers.
While NAFDAC has executed high-value raids including the seizure of over ₦1 trillion worth of illegal pharmaceuticals in major distribution hubs such as Onitsha, Aba, and Lagos over the past year, critics contend that open-market enforcement remains insufficient.
Stakeholders and public affairs analysts have called for a comprehensive review of national drug control policies, stronger inter-agency collaboration between customs, police, and consumer protection bodies, and decentralisation of NAFDAC’s monitoring infrastructure down to the grassroots level.
Legal practitioners have urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on counterfeit goods, framing it as organised economic and public-health sabotage. Legal analysts advocate for legislative reforms to eliminate bail options and fines for major counterfeiters, urging regulatory authorities to focus on criminal prosecution rather than administrative revenue generation.
When contacted for an official response regarding enforcement strategies, NAFDAC’s enforcement unit declined to comment, while SON representatives maintained that primary oversight regarding food, drugs, and regulated consumables rests squarely with NAFDAC.
