Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced a significant enforcement breakthrough in Lagos, where its operatives uncovered an illegal factory producing counterfeit Goya oil and dismantled a major syndicate involved in the falsification and distribution of alcoholic beverages — actions officials say are aimed at protecting public health and safety amid rising concerns about fake consumables circulating in Nigerian markets.
Addressing journalists in Lagos on Friday, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, said the discoveries were made during weeks of targeted surveillance and enforcement operations. Iluyomade described the illicit activities as serious threats to consumer safety, warning that unscrupulous producers were exploiting the popularity of well-known brands for profit at the expense of unsuspecting Nigerians.
At the heart of the operation was an illegal production site reportedly located within the Oke-Arin Market in Lagos Island’s Idumota district, where counterfeit Goya oil — a product widely used both as a premium cooking oil and anointing oil in religious settings — was being manufactured under hazardous conditions. According to NAFDAC officials, the fake product was made by mixing burned palm oil with colouring agents and repackaged in plastic (PET) bottles to mimic the authentic brand, which is legally imported and sold in original glass containers by authorised distributors.
Iluyomade warned that no genuine Goya oil comes in plastic packaging, urging members of the public — particularly church-goers, prayer houses, market traders and consumers — to be vigilant and report suspicious products. He underscored that the counterfeit oil could contain toxic substances that pose significant health risks if ingested or applied to the skin.
“Our priority is to shut down these factories at the source,” Iluyomade said, noting that the enforcement strategy focuses on preventing counterfeit products from ever reaching markets rather than merely arresting retail traders who may unknowingly sell them. He appealed to religious organisations and market leaders to cooperate with NAFDAC to avoid arrests on their premises, emphasising the shared responsibility of safeguarding public health.
In a related development, NAFDAC also revealed the arrest of a suspect, Mr. Moses Nelson, in the Badagry area of Lagos State, following an investigation into a large-scale alcohol counterfeiting operation. According to Iluyomade, Nelson’s residence yielded a wide array of fake alcoholic products and an extensive distribution network supplying several markets across the state. The seized products reportedly included counterfeit versions of major alcohol brands, with packaging materials and empty exotic bottles recovered as evidence of the syndicate’s broad reach.
Iluyomade described alcohol counterfeiting as one of the most widespread forms of product falsification in Nigeria, fuelled by the ease of replicating labels and the high profitability of such illegal trades. He cautioned distributors and consumers against patronising unauthorised suppliers, noting that unusually cheap products often signal fraudulent origins and can carry grave health implications.
Consumer health experts and regulatory officials say that counterfeit edible and alcoholic products can harbour harmful chemicals and contaminants due to poor production processes, unsterile equipment and unregulated handling — conditions that can result in foodborne illnesses, poisoning, and long-term health complications when consumed.
Public reaction to the bust has been mixed. Many Lagos residents welcomed the clampdown on fake products, urging continued enforcement and greater public education. Some food safety advocates also called for stricter penalties and enhanced collaboration between regulatory agencies, the police, and community leaders to disrupt the networks that produce and distribute counterfeit consumables.
NAFDAC’s action comes amid wider concerns over the proliferation of substandard and counterfeit foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals in Nigeria, where consumer protection remains a significant challenge. In recent years, similar enforcement drives have targeted fake drugs, unsafe drinking water, and a broad spectrum of adulterated products that pose public health risks.
Dr. Iluyomade reiterated NAFDAC’s commitment to sustain nationwide enforcement and urged the public to report any suspected fake products to the nearest NAFDAC office or enforcement unit. He emphasised that vigilant citizen participation is crucial to curbing the distribution of hazardous goods, protecting lives and ensuring that regulated products on the market meet established safety standards.
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