BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Aladekomo Sounds Alarm On Counterfeit Goods Crisis In Nigeria, Calls For National Emergency
Lagos, Nigeria – January 2025 – Sir Demola Aladekomo, a well-known Nigerian tech entrepreneur and philanthropist, has issued a chilling warning about the widespread distribution of counterfeit and adulterated drugs, food, and beverages in the country.
In a strongly worded memorandum addressed to President Bola Tinubu, key government officials, and the World Health Organisation (WHO), Aladekomo urged an immediate declaration of a national emergency.
Aladekomo, the founder of Chams Plc and SmartCity Plc, cites a WHO report from 2024 that estimates that 500,000 Nigerians die each year from substandard and counterfeit drugs alone.
He said that this figure is likely an underestimate due to factors such as low awareness, cultural practices, and underreporting.
According to Aladekomo, the crisis is far more than just pharmaceuticals. He cites alarming examples such as adulterated baby formula, plastic-contaminated rice, and widespread counterfeiting of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
According to him, the situation has deteriorated to the point where consumers are wary of even basic necessities.
“The situation has reached a tipping point,” Aladekomo said. “If immediate action is not taken, generations will be jeopardised, particularly children who are vulnerable to unsafe medications. The economy will suffer as trust in our markets deteriorates.”
Aladekomo’s memorandum, copied to the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minister of Health, DG of NAFDAC, and WHO Country Representative, calls for significant changes:
Severe Penalties: He advocates for mandatory prison sentences, multi-million naira fines proportionate to the harm done, and asset forfeiture for counterfeiters. He claimed that the current penalties are woefully inadequate.
Aladekomo promotes the use of mobile authentication services, blockchain technology, and smart packaging to combat counterfeiting.
He also proposes a centralised national product database and data-driven enforcement using artificial intelligence.
He advocates for giving NAFDAC more authority to shut down counterfeit operations and prosecute offenders.
The business expert also advocates for large-scale public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about identifying and reporting counterfeit products.
Aladekomo emphasises that this is not solely the responsibility of the government and advocates for a collaborative national effort involving businesses, religious leaders, and citizens to combat this pervasive threat.
“The proliferation of counterfeit and adulterated products is a national emergency that requires immediate action,” he says.
“We can save lives and restore trust in our markets by imposing harsh penalties, leveraging technology, raising public awareness, and bringing stakeholders together.”
The gravity of Aladekomo’s warning, combined with his influence in the Nigerian business community, has thrust the issue into the national spotlight. The nation now waits for the government’s response to this urgent call to action.
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