Counterfeit products have become a growing concern across the world, and industry leaders in Nigeria are stepping up efforts to tackle the problem. To mark World Anti-Counterfeiting Day 2026, Guinness Nigeria Plc partnered with the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration of Nigeria (ACCN) to host a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos aimed at addressing the increasing threat posed by counterfeit goods.
The event, held at Guinness Nigeria’s headquarters, brought together regulators, enforcement agencies, business leaders, and brand owners to discuss ways of protecting consumers and businesses in an increasingly digital and technology-driven environment. The theme of the gathering was “Combating Counterfeiting in an AI-Driven and Digitally Connected World.”
Participants examined how counterfeiters are taking advantage of modern technology, online marketplaces, social media platforms, and artificial intelligence tools to create and distribute fake products more efficiently than ever before. They also explored practical solutions that could help strengthen enforcement efforts and reduce the spread of counterfeit goods.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria, Girish Sharma, the company’s Corporate Relations and Legal Director, Rotimi Odusola, described counterfeiting as a rapidly evolving global challenge.
According to him, counterfeit activities have moved beyond traditional physical markets and now operate through sophisticated digital networks that cut across different countries. He noted that online platforms and AI-powered technologies are increasingly being used to promote and distribute fake products, making the challenge more complex.
Despite these concerns, Odusola pointed out that technology can also be part of the solution. He explained that advanced digital tools can help authorities detect counterfeit products, improve information sharing among stakeholders, and strengthen enforcement operations.
The Chairman of the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration of Nigeria, Sola Dosumu, chaired the event and delivered the keynote address. Discussions during the programme highlighted the need for stronger partnerships between government agencies and private-sector organisations in combating counterfeit trade.
One of the panelists, Tessy Ojomo, Director of Lagos Operations at the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), emphasized the importance of strict enforcement measures and regulatory compliance. She stated that tougher penalties for offenders and adherence to SON certification standards are helping to discourage counterfeit activities.
Ojomo also warned operators of online marketplaces to ensure that products listed on their platforms meet required certification standards to avoid possible legal sanctions.
Similarly, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said ongoing enforcement actions would soon produce stronger results against those supporting counterfeit operations. He encouraged brand owners to take greater responsibility for protecting their products and actively challenge counterfeiters.
Other speakers examined the issue from legal, investigative, and business perspectives, stressing that effective action requires collaboration among regulators, technology companies, digital platforms, enforcement agencies, businesses, and consumers.
In his closing remarks, Sharma reaffirmed Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to the fight against counterfeit products. He stressed that technology alone cannot solve the problem and called for stronger cooperation across all sectors.
The event ended with stakeholders renewing their commitment to strengthen enforcement, improve collaboration, and promote genuine products in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital marketplace. Representatives from the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), ACCN, and Guinness Nigeria were among those in attendance.
