The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a stark warning that Nigerians are being systematically exposed to a deadly wave of counterfeit, adulterated, and toxic consumables. The group alleges that regulatory agencies tasked with safeguarding public health appear paralyzed, compromised, or negligent.
Regulatory Failures Exposed
HURIWA specifically criticized the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for failing to fulfill their statutory duties. According to the association, this failure has allowed Nigeria's markets to degenerate into a free-for-all for fake products and dangerous goods.
“Across Abuja and major cities, evidence abounds of a frightening infiltration of counterfeit wines, adulterated beverages, substandard processed foods, and questionable household items,” the group stated. “What should be basic consumables have now become potential instruments of slow poisoning.”
HURIWA noted that reports indicate a vast majority of so-called imported wines are fake, while even widely consumed soft drinks are being illicitly reproduced and sold to unsuspecting Nigerians. The association highlighted even more alarming allegations that fruits are chemically induced to ripen using hazardous substances, and infant foods and household staples are being counterfeited at scale.
“The implication is chilling: no Nigerian is safe—not even infants,” HURIWA warned.
Health Consequences Mounting
Through its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA warned that the country is already witnessing the consequences of this regulatory failure. Hospitals are reportedly recording a surge in kidney-related diseases and other chronic conditions, increasingly affecting younger populations.
“This is not coincidental—it is the predictable outcome of a system that has abandoned its duty to protect public health,” the group added.
Demands for Government Action
HURIWA demanded immediate and sweeping action by the Federal Government, including a comprehensive overhaul of NAFDAC and SON. The association called for the removal of ineffective leadership, the installation of reform-driven professionals, and the deployment of aggressive enforcement strategies to dismantle the networks behind the trade.
The group urged a return to the regulatory approach exemplified by the late Dora Akunyili, who revolutionized NAFDAC during her tenure. HURIWA insisted that those found complicit, whether in the public or private sector, must face immediate investigation and prosecution.
“This is no longer a regulatory issue; it is a national emergency. Nigerians deserve safe food, safe medicines, and a system that protects rather than endangers them. The time for complacency is over. The time for decisive action is now,” HURIWA concluded.
