The House of Representatives at plenary on Thursday, asked the federal government to declare a state of emergency on the proliferation of fake and substandard goods and drugs without further delay.
The lawmakers specifically urged the federal government to strengthen the capacity of regulatory agencies such as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Customs Service through the provision of adequate funding and modern equipment for effective surveillance, detection and enforcement.
They further asked the federal government to establish a special task force comprising security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to fast-track investigations and prosecution of individuals and businesses involved in counterfeiting products.
Lawmakers also called on the Attorney General of the Federation to propose amendments to existing laws with a view to imposing stricter penalties, including life imprisonment for those involved in the production and importation of fake drugs and significant fines for businesses found guilty of dealing in counterfeit goods.
These resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, moved by the member representing Ilorin West/Asa federal constituency of Kwara state, Hon. Muktar Shagaya, at plenary.
Moving the motion, Shagaya lamented the alarming increase in the production, importation and distribution of fake and substandard goods, drugs, food and beverages across the country, which he noted to pose significant threats to public health, national security and economic stability.
He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) and NAFDAC had repeatedly warned that Nigeria was one of the most affected countries in the world, with fake drugs contributing to thousands of avoidable deaths annually.
The lawmaker noted that NAFDAC recently seized counterfeit food and pharmaceutical products worth over N5 billion in a raid at the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, highlighting the widespread nature of this menace.
Shagaya expressed concern that Nigeria suffers economic losses of approximately N15 trillion annually due to counterfeit and substandard goods, as reported by SON, adding that the unchecked proliferation of fake products not only jeopardises consumer safety but also discourages genuine investment in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
“Despite existing regulations, weak enforcement mechanisms, corruption, and the absence of stringent penalties for offenders have emboldened perpetrators to continue endangering public health.
“The current legal framework does not provide sufficient deterrence, as offenders often return to the illicit trade due to lenient fines and bailable sentences, allowing them to operate with impunity,” he noted.
He maintained that a national state of emergency was necessary to intensify enforcement efforts, strengthen regulatory institutions, and impose stricter sanctions on perpetrators.
Adopting the motion, the House directed its relevant committees to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the prevalence of counterfeit products and propose legislative measures to address regulatory gaps to ensure compliance.
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