Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Ezeonu has publicly urged individuals profiting from fake drugs, baby formula, and other counterfeit products to stop endangering lives. In a video shared on Instagram this week, she appealed directly to sellers and called on regulatory agencies to intensify monitoring and enforcement. Her comments come amid a heated public dispute over NAFDAC's responsibility for products reaching Nigerian markets.
Ezeonu's Emotional Appeal and Concerns for Public Health
In the video, Ezeonu expressed bewilderment at the current state of affairs in Nigeria. She described witnessing young people in hospitals deteriorating due to kidney and liver problems, and patients who take prescribed medications yet fail to improve. She also highlighted the circulation of fake versions of common drinks and baby formula meant for children.
Speaking directly to those behind the counterfeit trade, she said, "If you are one of the people doing fake drugs, please stop." She acknowledged the need for Nigerians to earn money but stressed it should not come at the cost of lives. "We shouldn't be our own enemy," she added.
Appeal to Regulatory Agencies
Ezeonu specifically appealed to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). She urged these bodies to monitor the market more closely and enforce regulations more strictly to curb the spread of counterfeit goods.
Her video surfaces during a public argument about accountability. On Monday, NAFDAC Director-General Professor Mojisola Adeyeye told BusinessDay TV that many Nigerians do not read labels or understand the agency's scope of responsibility, remarking at one point that "we are very ignorant." She clarified that NAFDAC regulates processed and semi-processed foods, while fresh produce falls under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Industry Reactions and Ongoing Debate
The following day, actress Mary Remmy Njoku responded on Instagram, accusing NAFDAC of shifting the burden onto consumers. Njoku argued that people cannot "read their way out of weak inspection, testing, and enforcement." Her rebuttal underscores the growing frustration among industry figures over the agency's perceived shortcomings.
Both actresses followed an earlier alarm raised by Ruth Kadiri, who had urged NAFDAC to intensify its crackdown on counterfeit food, drinks, medicines, and cosmetics. Kadiri also claimed that garlic she purchased turned green after blending, a claim previously reported by Pulse Nigeria. For context, garlic can turn green or blue when crushed or blended due to a harmless chemical reaction, so the color change alone does not prove a product is fake.
Ezeonu did not provide medical evidence in the video linking the illnesses she described to counterfeit products. Kidney and liver conditions can have multiple causes, and her statements were based on personal observations rather than documented cases. The debate continues as public figures and regulators clash over how best to ensure the safety of goods sold in Nigerian markets.
