Across 2025 and 2026, Nigerian media have reported a steady run of warnings about fake, adulterated and unsafe goods. They cover food (palm oil, beans, fruit, vegetable oil), household items (toothpaste, soap) and medicines. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is behind most of the alerts.
Palm oil is a repeated concern. The Guardian reported NAFDAC warning against reddening palm oil with azo dye, a synthetic colouring. Vanguard reported in September 2025 that adulterated palm oil was flooding markets in Minna, Niger State.
In September 2026 Vanguard and Tribune reported that the Lagos State Government had warned residents about adulterated palm oil. Legit.ng carried allegations that traders in south-east markets dilute palm oil with harmful substances to raise profits. These remain allegations as reported.
Household goods are also affected. NAFDAC issued Public Alert No. 022/2026 on unregistered and suspected counterfeit Colgate toothpaste, which TheCable, Nairametrics and Vanguard reported in April 2026.
The Guardian separately reported a suspected counterfeit toothpaste alert in Kaduna. Arise News reported that NAFDAC uncovered an illegal Goya oil factory and dismantled an alcohol counterfeiting ring in Lagos.
Crop safety is a third strand. Vanguard reported in October 2026 that NAFDAC found toxic pesticide residues in beans and seized ₦800m worth of banned chemicals.
Premium Times, Leadership and Daily Trust carried Osinbajo's account that his wife developed frequent headaches after switching to freshly squeezed orange juice, and that the juice was found unsafe.
ThisDay reported in September 2026 that he raised the alarm over chemicals used to ripen and preserve fruit and vegetables. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has also warned food vendors against adulteration and forced fruit ripening, according to the Guardian.
On enforcement, Vanguard reported in September 2026 that NAFDAC destroyed ₦1.5trn of fake products and secured 64 convictions. Tribune and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) reported that NAFDAC removed 7,210 fake or substandard products in three months. ICIR reported that over 6,000 facilities were raided.
Guardian and Vanguard reported in early 2025 that NAFDAC sealed 3,000 shops in Lagos and seized 14 truckloads of fake drugs in Abia. What this means for you: the problem is widespread, and regulators say they are acting, but shoppers still have to check what they buy.
What the sources say
- Vanguard: Reported in September 2026 that NAFDAC destroyed ₦1.5trn worth of fake products and secured 64 convictions.
- Tribune: Reported that NAFDAC mopped up 7,210 fake and substandard products in three months.
- BusinessDay: Reported NAFDAC's warning that Nigeria is becoming a production hub for fake goods, and separately that NAFDAC defended its enforcement record as concerns mount.
- Vanguard: Reported NAFDAC's alarm over local production of fake products in September 2026.
- Arise News: Reported economist Bismarck Rewane's view that smuggling seizures hit ₦59bn in 2025, and that a weak naira and price gaps hurt local industry.
- Guardian: Reported NAFDAC's warning against reddening palm oil with azo dye.
- Vanguard: Reported in October 2026 that NAFDAC found toxic pesticides in beans and seized ₦800m worth of banned chemicals.
- TheCable: Reported NAFDAC's alert on counterfeit Colgate toothpaste in circulation.
- Guardian: Reported an FCCPC warning to food vendors against adulteration and forced fruit ripening.
- Legit.ng: Carried allegations that traders dilute palm oil with harmful substances to boost profits in south-east markets.
Where the sources agree
- Several outlets (Vanguard, Guardian, Tribune, Daily Trust, ICIR) report that adulterated or fake palm oil is circulating and that consumers should be careful with unusually red or unbranded oil.
- Sources agree that NAFDAC is the lead regulator and has announced large seizures, shop closures and prosecutions.
- Outlets agree that fakes are not limited to drugs. They reach food, toothpaste, cooking oil, soap and farm produce.
- Vanguard (October 2026), Tribune, ICIR and ThisDay (September 2026) each reported that pesticides and chemicals used on produce are a growing health concern.
Where they differ
Where fake products mainly come from
- Arise News: Rewane links the problem to smuggling and price gaps, with seizures of ₦59bn in 2025 hurting local industry.
- Vanguard: NAFDAC raised the alarm over local production of fake products in September 2026, pointing to makers inside Nigeria.
Whether enforcement is working and who is responsible
- BusinessDay: NAFDAC defended its enforcement record as concerns about fake products mount.
- Tribune: The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) demanded urgent intervention over fake drugs and adulterated food, implying current efforts fall short.
- Vanguard: NAFDAC said unbranded palm oil and fufu are outside its direct oversight, and that tackling fake products needs collective responsibility.
What the authorities say
NAFDAC has issued public alerts (including Public Alert No. 022/2026 on counterfeit Colgate toothpaste), reported seizures and destruction of fake goods, and, according to ThisDay in September 2026, called for life imprisonment or the death penalty for dealers in fake products. Vanguard reported that it says unbranded palm oil and fufu fall outside its direct oversight and that fighting fakes needs collective responsibility. Tribune reported that NAFDAC disowned a viral list of alleged fake products, so readers should rely on its official alerts rather than forwarded lists. The FCCPC has warned food vendors against adulteration and forced fruit ripening, and the Lagos State Government has warned residents about adulterated palm oil. The Nigeria Customs Service has reported seizures of contraband, including vegetable oil.
What this means for you
Adulterated palm oil may contain dyes not meant for food. Buying loose, unbranded oil from unknown sellers carries more risk than buying registered, labelled products.
Counterfeit toothpaste and other household items can look like the real brand. Fakes may be unregistered, so their ingredients and safety are unverified.
Pesticide residues on beans and chemicals on ripened fruit are hard to see, so ordinary shoppers cannot easily tell safe produce from unsafe produce.
Because NAFDAC has said unbranded palm oil and fufu fall outside its direct oversight, the buyer has less regulatory protection with these products.
Weak naira and price gaps, as Rewane describes, can push shoppers towards suspiciously cheap goods, which is where fakes tend to be sold.
What you can do
- Check the NAFDAC registration number on packaged goods and compare it with the agency's official alerts and website before buying products you are unsure about.
- Be cautious with unusually bright red palm oil or oil sold far below the usual price. Prefer sellers you know and trust.
- Buy from established shops rather than roadside sellers for items named in alerts, such as toothpaste, and compare packaging with the genuine product.
- Wash and, where possible, peel fruit and vegetables, and soak and rinse beans before cooking.
- Keep the receipt and the packaging, and report suspected fakes to NAFDAC or the FCCPC, using contact details from their official sites.
- Do not share viral lists of fake products without checking them against NAFDAC's own alerts.
ConsumersNG is a consumer research platform, not a financial adviser, lawyer or medical professional. These steps are general information to help you ask the right questions. Before making decisions about your money, health or legal rights, check with the relevant regulator or a qualified professional. Read our full Disclaimer.
Still unclear
- How much of the fake and adulterated supply is imported or smuggled, and how much is made in Nigeria? Rewane and NAFDAC point in different directions.
- Who inspects unbranded palm oil and fufu sold in open markets, given NAFDAC says they are outside its direct oversight?
- What do the ₦1.5trn of destroyed products and 64 convictions cover, and over what period were they recorded?
- Will the death penalty and life imprisonment proposals for fake-product dealers be taken up by lawmakers?
- What testing standards, if any, apply to produce sold with chemical ripening agents or pesticide residues?
ConsumersNG's view
Vanguard, Tribune, the Guardian, BusinessDay and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) all report the same thing: fake and adulterated goods are in Nigerian markets. NAFDAC is announcing large seizures, shop closures and prosecutions. That is good news, but it does not mean the goods on your shelf or at your market stall are safe.
The sources disagree on where the fakes come from. Rewane blames smuggling and price gaps, while NAFDAC warns about fakes made here in Nigeria. Both may be partly right, and nobody has shown which matters more. So be careful with both imported and locally made goods, especially when the price looks too good to be true.
We are most worried about a gap NAFDAC itself has pointed out: unbranded palm oil and fufu fall outside its direct control, yet they keep coming up in warnings. Until that gap is closed, you carry more of the risk. Buy labelled, registered products where you can, and check official alerts rather than forwarded lists. Report suspect goods to NAFDAC or the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
This is ConsumersNG's opinion based on the sources above. It is not financial, legal or investment advice. Please speak to a qualified adviser before making decisions.
Sources & references
- OfficialNAFDAC Public Alert No. 022/2026 on unregistered and suspected counterfeit Colgate toothpaste
- OfficialVanguard NAFDAC destroys ₦1.5trn fake products, secures 64 convictions
- OfficialThisDay NAFDAC seeks life imprisonment, death penalty for fake product dealers; mops up 7,210 fake products
- SupportsTribune NAFDAC mops up 7,210 fake, substandard products in three months
- SupportsICIR NAFDAC raids over 6,000 facilities, removes 7,210 unsafe products in three months
- OfficialVanguard NAFDAC raises alarm over local production of fake products
- SupportsBusinessDay Nigeria becomes new production hub for fake goods, NAFDAC warns
- CountersBusinessDay NAFDAC defends enforcement record as fake product concerns mount
- OfficialVanguard NAFDAC: Unbranded palm oil, fufu outside our direct oversight
- OfficialVanguard NAFDAC: Tackling fake products requires collective responsibility
- OfficialTribune NAFDAC disowns viral list of alleged fake products
- OfficialTheCable NAFDAC received 225 counterfeit product complaints in August, says DG
- SupportsTheCable Alert: NAFDAC warns against counterfeit Colgate toothpaste in circulation
- SupportsVanguard Fake Colgate toothpaste floods market, NAFDAC warns
- OfficialThe Guardian Nigeria NAFDAC warns against reddening palm oil with azo dye
- SupportsVanguard Adulterated palm oil floods Minna markets, NAFDAC warns consumers
- OfficialVanguard Lagos alerts residents over adulterated palm oil
- SupportsLegit.ng How traders allegedly dilute palm oil with harmful substances to boost profits in south-east markets
- OfficialVanguard NAFDAC finds toxic pesticides in beans, seizes ₦800m banned chemical
- OfficialThe Guardian Nigeria FCCPC warns food vendors against adulteration, forced fruit ripening
- ContextThisDay Osinbajo raises the alarm over widespread use of chemicals to ripen, preserve fruits, vegetables
- ContextPremium Times My wife developed frequent headaches after switching to fresh orange juice, Osinbajo
- ContextArise News Rewane: Smuggling seizures hit ₦59bn in 2025 as weak naira, price gaps hurt local industry
- CountersTribune NANS demands urgent intervention over fake drugs, adulterated food
- ContextTribune Help! Fake items, products everywhere
Researched with AI assistance and reviewed by a ConsumersNG editor. How we research.