A civil society organisation, Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI), has called on Nigerians to remain vigilant against counterfeit and substandard products in local markets.

Ofomhi Christopher, executive director of IADI, made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, urging citizens to utilise reporting channels and support initiatives that strengthen quality assurance and public safety.

“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,” Mr Christopher said.

He explained that the briefing was also a feedback session following the CSO’s engagement with the management of the Standard 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.

During the meeting, SON management, led by Manji Pius Lawal, special assistant (Strategy) to the director-general, provided detailed briefings on enforcement mechanisms, prosecution efforts, institutional reforms, and systemic challenges affecting regulatory effectiveness.

“Key information disclosed during the engagement meeting includes the 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.

Mr Christopher said SON also presented records of concluded and ongoing prosecutions involving 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 saying that PAM is designed to enable consumers to independently verify the authenticity of products in the marketplace.

Mr Christopher noted systemic challenges limiting regulatory outcomes, including the absence of SON personnel at Nigerian ports, numerous unmanned borders facilitating illicit inflows, manpower shortages, and statutory revenue remittance obligations that constrain operational flexibility.

He added that SON highlighted toll-free consumer complaint lines and participation in the National Single Window initiative to improve coordination among regulatory and border management agencies.

“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 that effective accountability is best served by access to complete, accurate, and verifiable information,” he said.

Mr Christopher acknowledged the efforts of the SON director-general, noting that IADI recognised the measurable enforcement actions, institutional adjustments, and stakeholder engagement initiatives achieved within just over one year of his appointment.

“This acknowledgement is based strictly on documented outcomes presented during the CSO engagement with SON, and that this was made in the interest of objective and responsible public reporting”.

He reaffirmed that IADI would maintain its independence and continue to engage public institutions critically, objectively, and transparently.

“The CSO will not fail to speak out where gaps exist, and where verifiable progress is evident, adding that it would continue to present the facts to the public,” Mr Christopher said. 

(NAN)