A civil society organisation, Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI), has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against counterfeit and substandard products in local markets.
The Executive Director of IADI, Mr Ofomhi Christopher, made the appeal at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.
Christopher noted that, “The news conference was convened in furtherance of the CSO mandate to promote transparency, accountability, and public discourse within Nigeria’s government and regulatory environment.”
He stated that the briefing also served as a feedback session following the organisation’s engagement with the management of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) at its Abuja headquarters.
“The engagement was initiated to obtain clarity on persistent public concerns regarding the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products in Nigerian markets, as well as to better understand the operational realities confronting the agency.
“Today’s briefing represents a civil responsibility to present verified information arising from that engagement, in the interest of consumers, manufacturers, and the general public,” he added.
He noted that during the meeting, SON management, led by the Special Assistant (Strategy) to the Director-General, Mr Manji Lawal, provided detailed updates on enforcement strategies and prosecution efforts. He added that the CSO also highlighted institutional reforms and systemic challenges affecting regulatory effectiveness.
“Key information disclosed during the engagement meeting includes enforcement framework that SON explained that it has decentralised to improve responsiveness across states.
“The agency has deployed digital monitoring tools, including real-time reporting platforms, to enhance supervision and accountability of field officers.
“SON further disclosed that over 18 steel manufacturing companies producing non-compliant steel products have been sealed, based on structured monitoring and compliance assessments,” he said.
Christopher said SON also presented records of concluded and ongoing prosecutions relating to engine oil adulteration, cable rebranding, sugar adulteration in Kano State, and unhygienic sachet water production.
“The agency also disclosed that 20 court orders have been obtained for the seizure and destruction of harmful and substandard products.”
He added that SON outlined its collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on the Product Authentication Mark (PAM). He quoted SON as explaining that PAM is intended to help consumers independently verify product authenticity in the marketplace.
“The disclosures by SON are significant as they provide important context that is often absent from public discussion on standard enforcement in Nigeria.
“Public concerns regarding substandard products remain valid and pressing. Adding effective accountability is best served by access to complete, accurate, and verifiable information,” he said.
NAN