The House of Representatives has called on the Attorney General of the Federation to introduce stricter penalties, including life imprisonment, for individuals and businesses involved in the production and importation of counterfeit drugs into Nigeria.

The resolution was passed during Thursday’s plenary following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara).

Shagaya raised alarm over the rising circulation of fake and substandard goods, particularly pharmaceuticals, food, and beverages, warning that the trend poses severe threats to public health, national security, and economic stability.

Growing Crisis of Counterfeit Drugs

Citing data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Shagaya noted that Nigeria remains one of the countries most affected by counterfeit medicines, leading to thousands of preventable deaths annually.

“The House is aware that NAFDAC recently seized counterfeit food and pharmaceutical products worth over ₦5 billion in a raid at the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, underscoring the widespread nature of this crisis,” he said.

He further referenced a report by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), which estimates that Nigeria loses approximately ₦15 trillion annually to counterfeit and substandard goods.

“The unchecked proliferation of fake products not only endangers lives but also discourages legitimate investment in the food and pharmaceutical industries,” Shagaya stressed.

Weak Regulations, Lenient Penalties

Lawmakers expressed concerns that despite existing regulations, weak enforcement, corruption, and lenient penalties have emboldened perpetrators.

“The current legal framework lacks sufficient deterrence,” Shagaya noted. “Many offenders return to the illegal trade due to light fines and bailable sentences, allowing them to operate with impunity.”

Legislative Actions Proposed

In response to the motion, the House resolved to:

• Urge the Attorney General of the Federation to propose amendments to existing laws to impose life imprisonment on individuals involved in the production and importation of fake drugs.
• Impose significant fines on businesses dealing in counterfeit goods.
• Strengthen the capacity of regulatory agencies, including NAFDAC, SON, and the Nigerian Customs Service, by providing increased funding, modern equipment, and advanced technology for surveillance and enforcement.
• Establish a special task force comprising security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to fast-track investigations and prosecutions of offenders.

Additionally, the House directed its Committees on Health, Commerce, and Industry to conduct a thorough investigation into the prevalence of counterfeit products and recommend legislative measures to close regulatory loopholes.

With strong bipartisan support, lawmakers emphasized the urgency of decisive action to safeguard public health and restore confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory systems.