NANS RAISES ALARM OVER FAKE DRUGS ADULTERATED FOOD IN NIGERIA MARKETS, CALLS FOR TINUBU'S URGENT INTERVENTION.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised a strong alarm over the alleged proliferation of fake drugs, adulterated food products and other harmful consumables across Nigerian markets, roadsides and online platforms.

The NANS Senate said the situation poses a serious threat to the health and future of millions of Nigerians, particularly students and young people who may unknowingly purchase unapproved medicines, food products and cosmetics.

The alarm was raised by the President of the NANS Senate, Senator Ibeabuchi Moses Onyia, in a statement issued to journalists in Awka.

According to him, the continued circulation of counterfeit and adulterated products raises serious questions about the effectiveness of regulatory enforcement by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

He accused the regulatory system of being weakened by inadequate monitoring, poor enforcement and the apparent ability of individuals involved in the production and distribution of dangerous products to operate openly.

“When counterfeiters and adulterators no longer fear the regulator meant to stop them, that regulator has effectively surrendered the field.”

‘A Shadow Economy Is Growing Online’

NANS expressed particular concern over the growing sale of drugs, supplements, cosmetics and food products through social media and e-commerce platforms.

The students' body alleged that some online vendors operate without clear evidence of regulatory approval, verification or traceability, leaving unsuspecting consumers vulnerable.

It warned that students, who increasingly rely on online platforms for purchases, could be particularly exposed to potentially dangerous products.

The organisation also cited reports of suspected counterfeit toothpaste, adulterated palm oil, artificially enhanced fruits, counterfeit soy sauce and olive oil, as well as fake yoghurt products as examples of the wider challenge facing consumers.

Osinbajo's Orange Juice Account Raises Fresh Concerns

NANS also referenced a recent account attributed to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, concerning laboratory testing of orange juice consumed by his wife.

According to the statement, Osinbajo said his wife experienced unexplained headaches after regularly consuming freshly squeezed orange juice, which was subsequently subjected to laboratory testing and reportedly found to be unfit for human consumption.

The NANS Senate linked the account to concerns about the alleged use of chemicals, including calcium carbide, in the handling or ripening of agricultural produce, and argued that such reports should trigger stronger regulatory scrutiny.

The students' body stressed that the incident demonstrates that the problem of unsafe consumables can potentially affect Nigerians across socioeconomic classes.

‘Fake Drugs Can Steal Nigeria’s Future’

NANS warned that counterfeit medicines are not simply a commercial or regulatory problem but a potential threat to national development.

According to the organisation, fake medicines can prevent patients from receiving effective treatment and may contribute to serious health consequences, including antimicrobial resistance.

It similarly warned that adulterated food and harmful consumables could have long-term consequences for families, students and the nation's workforce.

> “This is not a public health issue alone. It is a development crisis, a security crisis, and a moral emergency.”

NANS Demands Presidential Intervention

The NANS Senate called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and strengthen the country's regulatory framework.

Among its demands are:

An immediate and independent audit of NAFDAC's enforcement capacity and performance.

A review of the enforcement capabilities of relevant agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Stronger monitoring of online and social-media commerce involving food, drugs and consumables.

Mandatory verification of vendors selling regulated products online.

Prosecution and sanctions for individuals involved in the distribution of counterfeit and adulterated products.

An independent investigation into chemicals allegedly being used to treat or ripen agricultural produce.

Sustained enforcement operations against identified counterfeiters and adulterators.

Greater transparency from NAFDAC through regular public reporting of enforcement activities and outcomes.

NANS argued that public awareness campaigns alone cannot solve the problem if regulatory agencies fail to effectively identify, prosecute and shut down illegal operators.

Students Demand Action Before More Lives Are Put at Risk

The students' body maintained that Nigerians should not be forced to become investigators of the products they consume, arguing that regulatory agencies must take the lead in protecting citizens.

It called for decisive action rather than what it described as bureaucratic indifference, warning that every counterfeit medicine or contaminated product that reaches an unsuspecting consumer could have devastating consequences.

The NANS Senate therefore urged the Federal Government to treat the alleged proliferation of fake drugs and adulterated consumables as an urgent national public-health and consumer-protection emergency, insisting that protecting Nigerians from dangerous products must remain a fundamental responsibility of government.

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