The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered and shut down two illegal factories involved in the production of counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic beverages in Lagos State, seizing products valued at approximately N350 million.
The enforcement action, disclosed in a statement by the agency, followed intelligence-led operations carried out across major commercial hubs, including Zamfara Plaza at the Trade Fair Complex and parts of Lagos Island. During the raids, NAFDAC operatives recovered more than 1,800 cartons of fake alcoholic drinks, highlighting the scale of illicit activity within the sector.
According to the agency, the facilities at the Trade Fair Complex were equipped with makeshift production setups, including plastic mixing tanks, improvised filtration systems, empty branded bottles, corks, and packaging materials used to manufacture counterfeit beverages. These discoveries point to an organised operation capable of producing and distributing large volumes of adulterated products.
NAFDAC urged consumers to remain vigilant by purchasing alcoholic products only from authorised outlets and reporting suspicious activities through its official channels to help curb the spread of unsafe goods.
The latest crackdown underscores the persistent challenge posed by illicit alcohol trade in Nigeria. Industry data cited by the Spirits and Wines Association of Nigeria indicates that counterfeit products account for about 40% of the spirits and wines market, suggesting that a significant portion of alcoholic beverages sold in the country originates from unregulated sources.
Experts attribute the prevalence of illegal production to factors such as demand for cheaper alternatives, regulatory gaps, and taxation pressures, which create incentives for underground operators. Beyond the economic implications, these counterfeit products often bypass safety and quality checks, posing serious health risks to consumers.
The development also highlights broader revenue concerns, as illegal producers evade taxes, resulting in losses for the government while undermining legitimate businesses operating within regulatory frameworks.
NAFDAC noted that it has intensified enforcement efforts in recent years across food, drug, and beverage markets nationwide. The agency has conducted multiple high-profile seizures, including the destruction of over 600 tons of counterfeit and substandard products worth more than N10 billion in Kano, as well as the confiscation of millions of fake pharmaceutical and cosmetic products in Lagos and other parts of the country.
These actions reflect ongoing efforts by the regulator to strengthen consumer protection, safeguard public health, and reduce the circulation of harmful and substandard products across Nigeria’s markets.
