Erstwhile Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Dr. Emeka Offor, has said “Nigeria’s counterfeit goods crisis is not just an economic problem, but a public health emergency that demands urgent action.”
Offor said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Friday in Abuja.
He said while drastic proposals like feeding convicted counterfeiters their own products might seem extreme, but the punishment for such crimes must match their severity.
He noted that counterfeit and substandard products were flooding local and national markets, causing dangerous consequences for consumers and threatening the country’s economic stability.
He cited cities like Aba as epicentres of this crisis which endangers public health and stifles national development.
“According to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), counterfeit goods account for 40 per cent of products in the Nigerian market, resulting in annual losses exceeding 20 billion dollars. The health sector is also reeling from the surge in fake drugs.
“The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) reports that approximately 17 per cent of pharmaceutical products in circulation are counterfeit, putting millions of lives at risk,” he said.
Offor stressed the tragic human cost of counterfeit goods, adding that hospitals were overwhelmed with cases of poisoning and organ failure linked to fake medications.
“Sub-standard electrical products have caused devastating fires, destroying homes and businesses. Fake building materials have led to building collapses, while counterfeit auto parts have resulted in fatal road accidents.
“Companies like Nigerian Breweries and Unilever report significant revenue losses due to fake versions of their products.
“These counterfeits, often priced lower, make it nearly impossible for legitimate businesses to compete. Many companies have been forced to shut down, leading to job losses, reduced tax revenue, and diminished foreign investment,” he said.
He said the country’s health care system was also bearing the brunt of the counterfeit crisis, adding that hospitals were seeing an increasing number of patients with ailments directly caused by counterfeit goods.
“From toxic cosmetics causing severe skin conditions to fake drugs causing irreversible harm, the healthcare burden is unsustainable.”
He called for a multifaceted approach to tackle the counterfeit crisis, saying only through coordinated action from the government, industry, and consumers “can Nigeria hope to stem the tide of counterfeit products and protect its economy and public health.”
He stressed the need for a reformed judicial system to ensure swift prosecution of offenders, with severe penalties, including long jail terms for counterfeiters, adding that technology must play a critical role.