FCCPC, NAFDAC, SON unite to tackle surge in fake, unwholesome products

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have begun moves to strengthen inter-agency collaboration against the rising circulation of fake, substandard and unwholesome products in Nigerian markets.

The agencies reached the understanding during a strategic engagement hosted by the FCCPC at its corporate headquarters in Asokoro, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

The meeting brought together senior officials from the three regulatory bodies to examine the growing threat posed by products that could endanger consumers and undermine legitimate businesses.

Representing NAFDAC at the engagement were Deputy Director, Applied Nutrition Directorate, Mrs. Anyanwu Felicitas; Assistant Director, Food Registration and Regulatory Affairs Directorate, Mr. Ibrahim Malami; and Head of Food Inspection Division, Mrs. Uche Rose.

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The FCCPC delegation was led by its Executive Commissioner, Operations, Mr. Louis Odion, alongside the Director, Quality Assurance and Development Department, Dr. Nkechi Mba.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria was represented by the Head, Quality Assurance and International Liaison Division, Mrs. Aisha Sanusi Gumbi.

The strategic engagement is expected to strengthen coordination among the agencies in areas including product quality, market surveillance, consumer protection, inspection and enforcement.

The collaboration comes amid concerns over the availability of counterfeit and unwholesome products in the Nigerian market, with regulators facing the challenge of protecting consumers while ensuring compliance by manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers.

The agencies are expected to explore stronger information sharing and coordinated enforcement measures to identify and remove harmful or substandard products from circulation.

The engagement also underscores the need for regulatory agencies to work together rather than operate in isolation, particularly where product safety, quality standards and consumer rights overlap.

The agencies’ renewed collaboration is expected to provide a more coordinated regulatory response and enhance efforts to protect Nigerians from products that fail to meet prescribed safety and quality requirements.