The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised alarm over what it described as the widespread circulation of counterfeit, adulterated, and toxic consumables across the country, warning that Nigerians are increasingly exposed to serious health risks due to regulatory lapses.
In a statement, the group accused the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) of failing in their statutory duties, thereby allowing markets to be flooded with fake and substandard products.
HURIWA said evidence from Abuja and other major cities points to an alarming influx of counterfeit wines, adulterated beverages, substandard processed foods, and questionable household goods.
It warned that everyday consumables have increasingly become potential health hazards.
The group further alleged that a significant proportion of imported wines in circulation are fake, while popular soft drinks are being illicitly reproduced and sold to unsuspecting consumers.
HURIWA also highlighted disturbing claims that fruits are artificially ripened using harmful chemicals, and that infant foods and household staples are being widely counterfeited.
“The implication is chilling: no Nigerian is safe, not even infants,” the group stated.
Speaking through its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA warned that the consequences of regulatory failure are already evident, with hospitals reportedly recording a rise in kidney-related ailments and other chronic conditions, particularly among younger people.
“This is not coincidental; it is the predictable outcome of a system that has abandoned its duty to protect public health,” the statement added.
HURIWA cautioned that Nigeria risks becoming a dumping ground for fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous products if urgent measures are not taken.
The group called on the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of NAFDAC and SON, including the removal of ineffective leadership and the appointment of reform-driven professionals.
It also urged the adoption of stricter enforcement measures to dismantle networks responsible for the production and distribution of fake goods.
In addition, HURIWA advocated a return to the firm regulatory approach associated with Dora Akunyili, known for her crackdown on counterfeit drugs.
The association stressed that individuals found complicit in the proliferation of fake products, whether in the public or private sector, must be investigated and prosecuted without delay.
Describing the situation as a national emergency, HURIWA insisted that Nigerians deserve access to safe food, medicines, and consumer goods, warning that anything short of decisive action would continue to put lives at risk.
