Fake goods in beauty items, edibles and drinks make up half of all counterfeit seizures, according to NAFDAC.

On Wednesday, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control revealed that counterfeit products in the country are predominantly comprised of cosmetic products, food, and beverages, which collectively account for over 50 per cent of all counterfeit goods. This information was disclosed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, during a news conference held to mark the 2026 International Anti-Counterfeit Month, observed globally in June.

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According to Adeyeye, who was represented by Director of Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, Dr Martins Iluyomade, the percentage is derived from the volume of counterfeit and fake cosmetics, food, and beverages seized by NAFDAC. The agency also confiscated fake and substandard medicines containing incorrect ingredients, insufficient active pharmaceutical substances, or no active ingredients during various operations across the country.

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Cosmetics account for the most counterfeited products in Nigeria, followed by food and beverages, which collectively account for more than 50 per cent of seizures, while pharmaceuticals also constitute a significant proportion of NAFDAC's enforcement activities. The agency is concerned about the evolving tactics employed by counterfeiters to flood Nigeria's markets with fake and substandard medicines.

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These tactics pose a serious threat to public health and national security, as counterfeiters utilise online procurement systems, allowing individuals to order counterfeit products directly from foreign manufacturers without leaving Nigeria. They also exploit cargo consolidation systems, known as groupage, to smuggle products into the country.

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Under the groupage arrangement, multiple importers share a single shipping container, making it challenging for regulators to identify suspicious consignments, as previously, importers had to travel abroad, inspect factories, and arrange shipments themselves. Today, individuals can comfortably place orders online and have counterfeit products delivered to their doorstep through logistics companies.

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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, with fake products often replicating the packaging of genuine brands so closely that consumers and retailers struggle to distinguish them from authentic products. No country can effectively monitor every single package entering through such channels.

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This has become a serious security concern, not just for medicines but for other regulated products, prompting NAFDAC to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service and other regulatory bodies. The agency is also working to close regulatory loopholes and improve verification systems.

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These verification systems will enable manufacturers to confirm whether imported shipments actually originated from their facilities, as the Director-General emphasised that the fight against counterfeiting cannot be won by NAFDAC alone. Government institutions, manufacturers, importers, logistics companies, healthcare professionals, media, and consumers all have a role to play in safeguarding public health.

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The Director-General commended the judiciary for expediting the prosecution of drug-related cases and securing swift convictions for those involved in the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit and illicit medicines, with several convictions obtained since last year. The most recent conviction was an individual sentenced to 40 years in prison in a case that started last November and was completed in February.

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The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, purchase medicines only from authorised outlets, verify products using available authentication technologies, and promptly report suspected counterfeit products to the appropriate authorities. By taking these measures, Nigerians can help prevent the proliferation of counterfeit goods and protect public health.