The Civil Society Organisation, Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI), has called on Nigerians to remain vigilant against counterfeit and substandard products in local markets.
Mr Ofomhi Christopher, Executive Director of IADI, made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, urging citizens to utilize reporting channels and support initiatives that strengthen quality assurance and public safety.
“The news conference was convened in furtherance of the CSO’s mandate to promote transparency, accountability, and public discourse within Nigeria’s government and regulatory environment,” Christopher said.
He explained that the briefing also served as a feedback session following IADI’s engagement with the management of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) at its Abuja headquarters.
“The engagement was initiated to address persistent public concerns about the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products in Nigerian markets, and 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.
Christopher noted that during the meeting, SON management, led by Mr Manji Lawal, Special Assistant (Strategy) to the Director-General, provided detailed briefings on enforcement mechanisms and prosecution efforts. The agency also outlined institutional reforms and systemic challenges affecting regulatory effectiveness.
“Key information disclosed includes the enforcement framework, which SON has decentralized 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,” he said.
SON further disclosed that over 18 steel manufacturing companies producing non-compliant steel products have been sealed following structured monitoring and compliance assessments. Records of concluded and ongoing prosecutions involving engine oil adulteration, cable rebranding, sugar adulteration in Kano State, and unhygienic sachet water production were also presented.
“The agency has obtained 20 court orders for the seizure and destruction of harmful and substandard products,” Christopher said, adding 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), which enables consumers to independently verify the authenticity of products in the marketplace.
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 standards enforcement in Nigeria. Public concerns regarding substandard products remain valid and pressing, and effective accountability is best served by access to complete, accurate, and verifiable information,” he said.
Christopher acknowledged the efforts of the SON Director-General, noting that IADI recognized 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 is made in the interest of objective and responsible public reporting,” he said.
He reaffirmed that IADI would maintain its independence and continue to engage public institutions critically, objectively, and transparently.
“The CSO will continue to speak out where gaps exist and where verifiable progress is evident, presenting the facts to the public,” Christopher added.
