The growing circulation of counterfeit, falsified and unregistered products in Nigeria is raising fresh concerns over consumer safety, after authorities reported major seizures of suspected fake medicines and other regulated products across the country.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said in February 2026 that it seized more than 10 million doses of suspected counterfeit malaria medicines and cosmetic products valued at about ₦3 billion during an enforcement operation at Lagos’ Trade Fair Market. The agency said the operation followed intelligence received on 3 February 2026.
The problem has also been detected in imported pharmaceutical products. On 1 July 2026, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) handed over nine containers seized at Apapa Port to NAFDAC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. According to Customs, the seizures included narcotics, unregistered pharmaceutical products and medicines bearing fake NAFDAC registration information, with a combined duty-paid value of ₦53.39 billion.
Customs said the use of false registration information on pharmaceutical products indicated an attempt to introduce unregistered medicines into the Nigerian market, creating potential public-health risks.
NAFDAC’s alerts show that the challenge has continued. On 18 July 2026, the agency warned Nigerians about suspected counterfeit products mimicking the diabetes medicine Forxiga (dapagliflozin). On 19 August 2026, it also issued an alert over suspected counterfeit ORACIRE+ toothpaste.
The concern extends beyond medicines. NAFDAC regulates products including food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and packaged water, while the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is responsible for standards, conformity assessment and market surveillance for products under its mandate. SON says its product-registration and authentication systems are designed to improve traceability and help consumers identify genuine products.
The issue has attracted criticism from civil-society groups. On 5 May 2026, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) warned about what it described as a surge in counterfeit consumables and criticised regulatory enforcement. Those criticisms are allegations by the organisation and do not, on their own, establish regulatory failure.
NAFDAC has meanwhile continued to strengthen reporting mechanisms. On 2 June 2026, the agency announced an improved Med Safety App through which members of the public can report suspected substandard and falsified medical products and adverse drug reactions, including by submitting photographs and product details.
The scale of individual seizures does not establish how many Nigerians have been harmed by counterfeit products. However, the repeated detection of suspected fake and unregistered goods underscores the need for stronger enforcement, better supply-chain monitoring and greater consumer awareness.
For consumers, checking product registration and buying medicines and other regulated products from reputable outlets remain important safeguards against potentially dangerous counterfeits.
