By NIGPOST
The Nigerian House of Representatives has raised alarm over the growing threat of fake and substandard goods, calling on the federal government to declare a state of emergency on the issue.
During Thursday’s plenary session, lawmakers stressed the urgent need to strengthen regulatory agencies and impose harsher penalties on counterfeiters.
The Growing Crisis of Fake Products
Hon. Muktar Shagaya, who represents the Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, led the motion, highlighting the widespread distribution of fake drugs, food, and consumer products in Nigeria.
He warned that this trend poses serious risks to public health, national security, and the economy.
Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) indicate that Nigeria ranks among the top countries affected by counterfeit medicines—a crisis responsible for thousands of preventable deaths annually.
Shagaya also pointed out that NAFDAC recently confiscated counterfeit food and drugs worth over ₦5 billion in a raid on the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, demonstrating how deeply this issue has spread.
The Economic Toll of Counterfeiting
Counterfeit products don’t just endanger lives—they also damage Nigeria’s economy.
According to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the country loses approximately ₦15 trillion annually due to fake and substandard goods.
This discourages genuine investors in key industries, including pharmaceuticals and food production.
Shagaya lamented that despite existing regulations, weak enforcement, corruption, and lenient penalties allow counterfeiters to continue their illicit trade with impunity.
Offenders often return to their illegal business because of bailable sentences and light fines, making counterfeiting a low-risk, high-reward crime.
House of Reps Demands Tougher Actions
To tackle this crisis, the House has urged the federal government to:
Strengthen regulatory agencies like NAFDAC, SON, and the Nigerian Customs Service by providing them with adequate funding and modern equipment for surveillance and enforcement.
Set up a special task force made up of security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to speed up investigations and prosecutions.
Amend existing laws to impose harsher penalties, including life imprisonment for producers and importers of fake drugs and heavy fines for businesses involved in counterfeiting.
The House has also directed its relevant committees to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the prevalence of fake products and propose stronger legislative measures to close regulatory loopholes.
Why This Matters
Fake drugs and substandard goods put millions of lives at risk every day. From expired medicines to toxic food products, the consequences are deadly.
If the government acts swiftly, Nigerians can be better protected from these dangers.
What’s Your Take?
Do you think declaring a state of emergency will effectively curb the rise of counterfeit goods in Nigeria? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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