Cosmetics, food, beverages account for 50 per cent of counterfeit products, NAFDAC

Cosmetic products, food, and beverages are the most frequently counterfeited items in Nigeria, accounting for more than half of all fake products seized by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This alarming statistic was revealed by NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye during a news conference marking International Anti-Counterfeit Month.

“

Cosmetics account for the most counterfeited products in Nigeria, followed by food and beverages, accounting for more than 50 per cent of seizures.

Beyond consumer goods, fake and substandard medicines also pose a serious threat. These illicit pharmaceuticals often contain incorrect ingredients, insufficient active pharmaceutical substances, or are entirely devoid of active components. NAFDAC's enforcement activities frequently target these dangerous products, highlighting a critical public health risk.

“

Pharmaceuticals also account for significant proportion of NAFDAC’s enforcement activities.

The agency expressed grave concern over the evolving and sophisticated methods employed by counterfeiters. Increasingly, they leverage online procurement systems, allowing consumers to order fake products directly from overseas manufacturers without leaving Nigeria. Furthermore, counterfeiters exploit cargo consolidation systems, known as groupage, to import products. This method, where multiple importers share a single shipping container, makes it exceedingly difficult for regulators to identify suspicious shipments.

“

Today, someone can sit comfortably in a shop in Nigeria, place an order online, and have counterfeit products delivered to their doorstep through logistics companies.

These foreign entities, often with agents in Nigeria, identify products with high market demand and arrange for counterfeit versions to be manufactured abroad, particularly in Asia. The packaging of these fake products is frequently designed to mimic genuine brands so closely that distinguishing them from authentic items becomes a significant challenge for both consumers and retailers. NAFDAC acknowledges the difficulty in monitoring every package entering through these channels, labeling it a serious security concern that extends beyond medicines to other regulated products.

“

These foreign companies have agents or suppliers that monitor products with high market demand and arrange for counterfeit versions to be manufactured abroad, particularly in Asia.