Nigeria is facing an epidemic of fake and adulterated products, ranging from food and drinks to drugs and cosmetics. These products pose serious health risks to consumers and economic losses to genuine manufacturers and traders.
In recent weeks, the country’s social media space has been plagued with images of a concerning number of fake products peddling the market. From toothpaste to spices, seasonings, beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, the sights are terrifying.
One particularly worrisome case involves AMOY soy sauce, a condiment that enhances the flavour, taste, and appearance of stir-fried dishes, soups, stews, and baked foods. There is a proliferation of imitation products in the market, closely resembling the original brand, with only subtle differences that become apparent upon closer inspection.
Social media posts from Nigerians revealed that many individuals unknowingly have counterfeit products in their kitchens. What’s even more alarming is that these fake items were reportedly purchased from well-established supermarkets and malls.
While the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is the regulatory body responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of products in the country, its performance has been dismal in recent years.
NAFDAC was established in 1993 to combat the menace of counterfeit and substandard products in Nigeria. It achieved remarkable success under the leadership of Professor Dora Akunyili, who served as the Director-General from 2001 to 2008.
Akunyili was a fearless and visionary leader, who waged a relentless war against the fake product syndicates, despite several threats and attacks on her life. She introduced innovative measures such as the Truscan device, which could detect fake drugs in minutes, and the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS), which allowed consumers to verify the authenticity of drugs by sending a code to a toll-free number.
Akunyili also embarked on massive public awareness campaigns, using the media and other platforms to educate Nigerians on the dangers of fake products and how to identify them. She collaborated with other stakeholders, such as the police, the customs, the judiciary, and the international community, to enforce the laws and regulations against fake products. Under her tenure, NAFDAC was rated as one of the best regulatory agencies in Africa and the world, and she received numerous awards and recognitions for her achievements.
Under her leadership, NAFDAC reduced the prevalence of fake drugs in Nigeria from 70 per cent to about 10 per cent.
However, since Akunyili left NAFDAC in 2008, the agency has suffered a decline in its effectiveness and efficiency. The agency has been plagued by corruption, mismanagement, lack of transparency, and poor coordination. It has failed to sustain the momentum and legacy of Akunyili and has allowed fake products to infiltrate the market with alarming ease.
One glaring problem has been the breakdown in coordination, both internally and externally. The synergy that characterised Akunyili’s era seems to have dissipated, with internal divisions and conflicts hindering the agency’s ability to respond effectively to emerging threats. Externally, collaboration with other regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies has weakened, allowing counterfeiters to exploit regulatory gaps.
This decline in effectiveness has profound consequences for consumers and genuine manufacturers alike. Fake products have flooded the market, ranging from pharmaceuticals to everyday consumables. The health risks associated with these substandard goods are severe, with potential implications ranging from minor illnesses to life-threatening conditions.
The failure to sustain Akunyili’s momentum has also resulted in a loss of public trust. Consumers who once relied on NAFDAC’s seal of approval to guarantee product authenticity are now left in a state of uncertainty. This erosion of confidence undermines the regulatory framework and emboldens counterfeiters who operate in the shadows.
The decline in NAFDAC’s effectiveness since Akunyili’s departure is not merely a bureaucratic concern; it’s a public health crisis waiting to unfold. Urgent measures are needed to revitalize the agency, restore its integrity, and equip it with the resources and mandate necessary to combat the sophisticated networks of counterfeiters. The legacy of Akunyili, which was synonymous with a vibrant, effective NAFDAC, demands a revival of the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of Nigerians.
NAFDAC needs to wake up from its slumber and restore its credibility and competence. The agency needs to intensify its surveillance, enforcement and prosecution of fake product manufacturers and distributors. It also needs to collaborate with other stakeholders such as customs, police, manufacturers, traders and consumers to curb the influx and circulation of fake products.
Moreover, NAFDAC needs to adopt innovative solutions such as product verification, orientation and scratching for verification codes.
These solutions have been proven to be effective in other countries such as Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania where they have been implemented by some pharmaceutical companies. They can help reduce the demand for fake products by empowering consumers to make informed choices and report suspicious products to NAFDAC. The agency owes it to Nigerians to safeguard their health and lives from fake products.
