Beiersdorf, Nigerian Customs Sign MoU To Tackle Counterfeit Products

Beiersdorf Nigeria, makers of NIVEA products, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to address the vexed issue of the importation and circulation of counterfeit products in Nigeria.

The MoU was formalised during a capacity-building training session for NCS officers focused on identifying genuine NIVEA products and detecting counterfeits at the weekend in Abuja.

This was part of Beiersdorf’s broader brand protection strategy aimed at protecting consumers, supporting legitimate trade, and enforcing intellectual property rights (IPR).

The Comptroller-General of Customs, who was represented by Deputy Controller-General Timi Bomodi emphasized the scale of the challenge, stating “Counterfeiting is a huge market, especially for criminal elements who want to capitalize on popular products to make unearned gains. By infringing on intellectual property rights, they are not carrying out legitimate trade.”

He pointed out the dangers counterfeit goods pose to public health, stressing that “companies like Beiersdorf have a name to protect and are mindful of product composition, but counterfeiters don’t care and may put people’s health at risk.”

Bomodi noted that the partnership would strengthen enforcement capacity and support legitimate trade, saying: “We want to see them grow, as it has a corollary effect on the economy, for tax, employment, and more.”

Speaking at the event, Oladele Adeyole, country manager, Beiersdorf NIVEA Nigeria Ltd, described the collaboration as a strategic move to protect consumers and the brand’s integrity.

He said: “We are proud of our partnership with customs because they are pivotal in helping us safeguard our intellectual property rights. When your product becomes popular, there is adulteration, and if you don’t know the difference between what is counterfeit and what is substandard, then you are risking the health of your consumers.”

Adeyole reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria, highlighting over five decades of operations, sustained investments, job creation initiatives, and social impact programs across the country.

Julius Itsisor, Quality and Regulatory Manager for Central East and West Africa, highlighted Beiersdorf’s manufacturing investment in Lagos, noting the establishment and expansion of its state-of-the-art facility as a demonstration of the company’s confidence in Nigeria’s market potential.

Assistant Controller of Customs Oyindamola Adeyemi said, “We have learned a lot, especially regarding the proliferation of counterfeit materials that keep coming into the country. Now we are well informed about intellectual property rights and how we can curtail the proliferation of counterfeits coming into Nigeria.”

Superintendent of Customs Olukemi Ilesanmi also noted the impact of the session, stating: “The knowledge acquired has allowed us to identify counterfeit products, which will enable us to stop them from entering the market and support legitimate trade. Facilitating trade helps Nigeria move forward with more employment and economic growth.”

The MoU provides for cooperation in enforcement, intelligence sharing, training, and public awareness, with similar capacity-building sessions planned for Lagos and Port Harcourt.