The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered an illegal facility producing counterfeit “Goya oil” and dismantled a large syndicate involved in the falsification of alcoholic beverages in Lagos, warning that the activities pose serious threats to public health.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, Mr. Martins Iluyomade, said the discoveries followed weeks of targeted surveillance and enforcement operations.
“We have carried out a couple of activities in recent weeks, and what we discovered was very surprising to us. We felt it was important to speak with Nigerians so they can know what has been going on,” Iluyomade said.
He disclosed that operatives uncovered an illegal operation within Oke-Arin Market, Lagos, where counterfeit Goya oil was being locally produced.
“The original Goya oil is imported into this country through a reputable company, and there are still original products in circulation. But we discovered that some people were faking this product and manufacturing it inside the market,” he said.
According to Iluyomade, the fake oil was produced by burning palm oil and mixing it with chlorine, using rudimentary equipment such as a stove.
“They were using a stove. We saw the stove and everything they were using. We also saw a large number of empty bottles they were refilling and repackaging,” he added.
He issued a strong warning to Nigerians, especially churches and prayer houses, stressing that genuine Goya oil is never packaged in plastic containers.
“Let me say this clearly to everybody—churches, prayer houses, and anywhere this oil is used: there is no original Goya oil packed in plastic bottles. Original Goya oil comes in glass bottles,” he said.
Iluyomade urged members of the public to alert NAFDAC whenever the product is found in plastic bottles.
“Anywhere you see Goya oil being sold in PET bottles, report it. People should beware,” he warned.
He expressed concern over the growing use of fake anointing oils in religious settings, describing the practice as extremely dangerous.
“Some people even drink anointing oil. You are not drinking anointing oil—you are drinking poison,” Iluyomade said.
Explaining the agency’s approach, Iluyomade said NAFDAC prioritises shutting down production sources rather than penalising unsuspecting traders.
“We are stopping the production. Once there is no new supply, whatever is in the market will dry up,” he said.
“We do not want to compound the problem of market women and others who may not know. But for the producers, it is the end of the road.”
He called on religious institutions to cooperate with the agency.
“We are not issuing threats, but it will not be nice for us to arrest people within your premises. Please partner with us and do not allow the sale or use of this product,” he said.
Iluyomade also revealed that NAFDAC had dismantled a major operation involved in the counterfeiting of alcoholic drinks in Lagos.
“The faking of alcoholic drinks has become seriously endemic in Nigeria because it is one of the easiest products to counterfeit,” he said.
He disclosed that a suspect, Mr. Moses Nelson, was arrested in the Badagry area of Lagos and has since been charged to court.
“In his house, we found all manner of fake products—virtually every major brand. There was none we did not see,” Iluyomade said.
According to him, the syndicate ran a supply network that produced the drinks in Badagry and distributed them to major markets across Lagos.
NAFDAC also cautioned distributors against sourcing products from unauthorised suppliers.
“You know the original owners of these brands. Why buy from people you know are not the owners just to make more money? In the process, you are killing people,” he cautioned.
He further advised Nigerians to be wary of unusually cheap products.
“If the normal price is five naira and someone offers it at three naira, you should be suspicious. The little money you want to save, I hope you will not spend it in the hospital,” he said.
Emphasising that public health must not be sacrificed for profit, Iluyomade appealed to those involved in such illegal activities to desist.
“We are all Nigerians and everyone wants to make ends meet, but no Nigerian has the right to make ends meet at the expense of the health of another Nigerian,” he said.
“No one has the right to make huge profits while increasing the health burden of this country.”
He assured Nigerians that NAFDAC would continue enforcement actions nationwide and urged the public to avoid counterfeit products and promptly report suspicious activities.
What you should know
NAFDAC’s latest discoveries highlight the growing sophistication of counterfeit food and beverage operations in Nigeria, particularly in major commercial hubs like Lagos.
Fake edible oils and alcoholic drinks pose severe health risks, including poisoning and long-term organ damage. By targeting production sources rather than end-users, the agency aims to dismantle supply chains while protecting unsuspecting traders.
The revelations also raise concerns about the misuse of fake anointing oils in religious spaces, underscoring the need for public awareness, stronger collaboration with community institutions, and vigilance by consumers to curb the spread of dangerous substandard products.
