FCCPC, NAFDAC Harmonize to Target Fake Goods

Nigeria’s primary consumer and food regulators signed a pact on Wednesday to end the jurisdictional friction that allows rogue traders to thrive. Tunji Bello of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Mojisola Adeyeye of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) formalised this tie-up in Abuja. The deal aims to bridge regulatory gaps that previously let unsafe drugs and food slip through the cracks. It creates a unified front against deceptive advertising and substandard manufacturing. Consumers should now find it easier to lodge complaints without being bounced between offices.

The new framework establishes a structured system for sharing data and conducting joint raids on illegal factories. In the past, investigations often stalled because one agency lacked the specific mandate held by the other. A harmful drug is both a public health hazard and a violation of consumer rights. This overlap frequently led to delays, giving criminals time to move their stock. Now, both bodies will treat such cases as a single enforcement priority. This shift from theory to action is intended to make the market safer for everyone.

Tunji Bello noted that the move targets the “mischievous” elements who exploit administrative siloes to sell fake products. The FCCPC focuses on market behaviour and competition, while NAFDAC handles the chemistry of safety. By pooling their resources, the agencies can now track a product from the factory floor to the retail shelf. This joined-up approach will include technical training for staff and shared enforcement tools. It is a necessary response to the rising tide of sophisticated counterfeit networks operating across Nigeria.

Regulatory efficiency usually leads to higher market confidence. When people trust that their medicine is genuine, they spend more freely, and the economy functions better. The agreement also includes a promise to protect internally displaced persons and people with disabilities from exploitation. These vulnerable groups are often the primary targets for sellers of cheap, life-threatening substitutes. The agencies want to ensure that no citizen is left without a clear channel for redress. This is about restoring the dignity of the Nigerian buyer in every transaction.

Mojisola Adeyeye insisted that the success of the pact rests on visible results rather than paperwork. She highlighted recent cases in which swift coordination compelled erring businesses to compensate aggrieved customers immediately. NAFDAC will continue to lead on product efficacy, but the FCCPC will provide the legal muscle to defend the person using that product. The message to manufacturers is blunt: compliance is no longer optional. The state is finally watching the same back with two sets of eyes.

Nigeria currently battles a surge in fake pharmaceuticals and deceptive food labelling. These issues undermine public health and drain the pockets of the poor. The government hopes this partnership will create a more predictable environment for honest businesses to grow. For those who continue to circumvent the rules, the new enforcement regime promises a much harder time. The days of hiding behind bureaucratic confusion are coming to an end.