NAFDAC Raises Alarm as Cosmetics, Food, Beverages Dominate Counterfeit Market in Nigeria
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed that cosmetics, food and beverages account for more than half of counterfeit products intercepted across Nigeria.
The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this during a briefing held to commemorate the 2026 International Anti-Counterfeit Month, noting that the figures were based on enforcement operations conducted nationwide.
Represented by Dr Martins Iluyomade, Adeyeye explained that counterfeit cosmetics remain the most frequently seized fake products in the country, followed closely by food and beverages. She added that falsified medicines containing incorrect, inadequate or no active ingredients also continue to pose serious public health concerns.
According to the agency, counterfeiters are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods, making detection and enforcement more challenging.
Adeyeye noted that the rise of online procurement and modern logistics systems has created new channels for the importation and circulation of fake products.
She explained that counterfeit goods are now often ordered directly online and shipped into Nigeria through cargo consolidation systems where goods from multiple importers are grouped together, making tracking and interception more difficult.
The NAFDAC boss also raised concerns over the growing sophistication of counterfeit packaging, warning that fake products are increasingly designed to closely resemble genuine brands and can easily deceive unsuspecting consumers.
To strengthen enforcement, she said the agency is working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and other regulatory bodies to tighten monitoring systems and improve product verification processes.
She stressed that tackling counterfeit products requires collective efforts beyond government institutions alone.
NAFDAC also commended the judiciary for supporting faster prosecution of offenders, citing recent convictions, including a 40-year prison sentence secured in one of its anti-counterfeit cases.
The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by purchasing products only from authorised outlets, verifying authenticity through approved channels and reporting suspicious products to relevant authorities.
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