The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed that cosmetic products, food and beverages account for more than 50 per cent of counterfeit goods seized across Nigeria. The revelation was made on Wednesday during a news conference marking the 2026 International Anti-Counterfeit Month. Speaking on behalf of NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, said the figures were based on the volume of fake cosmetics, food items and beverages confiscated during enforcement operations nationwide. He added that counterfeit and substandard medicines containing incorrect, insufficient or no active ingredients were also intercepted.
NAFDAC noted that counterfeit cosmetics remain the most frequently seized fake products in the country, followed by food and beverages, while pharmaceuticals account for a significant share of the agency’s enforcement activities. The agency warned that the continued circulation of fake and substandard medicines poses a serious threat to public health and national security. According to Adeyeye, counterfeiters have adopted increasingly sophisticated methods, including online procurement platforms that allow individuals to order fake products directly from foreign manufacturers without leaving Nigeria.
The agency further explained that smugglers exploit cargo consolidation systems, known as groupage, where multiple importers share a single shipping container, making it difficult for regulators to identify suspicious consignments. Adeyeye said foreign manufacturers, particularly in Asia, work through agents who monitor high-demand products and arrange for counterfeit versions to be produced. These fake goods often closely mimic the packaging of genuine brands, making it difficult for consumers and retailers to distinguish them from authentic products. She described the growing use of such channels as a major security concern, noting that no country can effectively monitor every package entering through these routes.
To tackle the challenge, NAFDAC said it has strengthened collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security and regulatory agencies while improving verification systems to confirm the authenticity of imported products. The agency called on government institutions, manufacturers, importers, logistics firms, healthcare professionals, the media and consumers to support efforts to curb counterfeiting. Adeyeye also commended the judiciary for accelerating drug-related prosecutions, revealing that several convictions have been secured since last year, including a recent case in which an offender was sentenced to 40 years in prison. She urged Nigerians to purchase medicines only from authorised outlets, verify products using available authentication technologies and promptly report suspected counterfeit products to the appropriate authorities.
Elijah Adeyemi
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