Nigerian Regulator Warns of Locally Made Counterfeit Goods

Nigeria’s food and drug regulator, NAFDAC, has raised the alarm over a shift in counterfeit production, warning that fake goods are now being manufactured locally rather than only imported, according to Vanguard News.

The agency said Chinese syndicates have moved operations into Nigeria, setting up production of fake products within the country. NAFDAC’s warning, reported by TheCable and Daily Post Nigeria, points to a growing threat to public health, with Punch Newspapers describing the situation as one where counterfeit items are “slowly killing Nigerians.”

The regulator has reportedly mopped up 7,210 fake products across the country as part of its enforcement efforts. In response to the scale of the problem, NAFDAC is seeking tougher penalties for those involved in the trade, including life imprisonment and the death penalty for dealers, according to THISDAYLIVE.

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The move from importing counterfeits to manufacturing them locally marks a significant escalation, as it makes detection and enforcement more difficult. NAFDAC’s latest figures suggest the problem is widespread, affecting multiple product categories and regions.

The agency’s push for harsher sentences signals a more aggressive stance, but it remains unclear whether lawmakers will back the proposed punishments. What is clear is that the regulator sees local counterfeit production as a serious and growing threat that requires a stronger legal response.