Nigeria is struggling with counterfeit products, from fake medicines to substandard beverages. In December 2024, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) took action by shutting down 150 shops in Aba, southeast Nigeria, and destroying counterfeit goods worth N5 billion. A few months later, the agency seized and disposed of another N4.5 billion worth of fake products in Port Harcourt. These crackdowns show how serious the issue has become.
The Rising Challenge of Counterfeit Goods
Despite these efforts, many counterfeit items still reach the market undetected. Criminal networks create sophisticated methods to bypass regulations, from printing fake labels to altering NAFDAC registration numbers. The problem has become so severe that NAFDAC shut down a section of a popular market in Onitsha after discovering drugs hidden inside plumbing materials.
However, shutting down markets has sparked political debates. Opposition leaders argue that these actions hurt small businesses. While the government has long tried various measures to combat fake products, including special SMS codes to verify medicines, counterfeiters continue to find ways around them.
Can QR Codes Help Solve the Problem?
Some experts believe QR code technology could be a game-changer in Nigeria’s fight against counterfeits. Ghana has successfully used QR codes for various purposes, including verifying product authenticity, managing VAT, and even voter verification. In Ghana, it is common to see QR codes on water bottles. A simple scan with a smartphone directs consumers to the government’s website, confirming if the product is legitimate.
Nigeria has the potential to adopt a similar system. With over 154 million internet users and a projected 140 million smartphones by 2025, QR codes could provide an easy and cost-effective solution.
How QR Codes Can Work in Nigeria
Francis Adegbe, a software engineer, believes NAFDAC and other agencies should build a national database of verified products. Each product would have a QR code that, when scanned, would instantly confirm its authenticity.
“It’s not difficult to set up,” Adegbe explained. “A government-approved website would store product details. Consumers would scan the QR code to check if the product is genuine.”
Adegbe also stressed the importance of security. Using a government-backed domain (.gov.ng) would prevent counterfeiters from duplicating the system. Educating the public about only trusting QR codes linked to the official domain would add another layer of protection.
Can Counterfeiters Manipulate QR Codes?
While criminals might attempt to copy QR codes, experts say it would be difficult to fake a secure, government-approved verification system. Adegbe emphasized that the biggest challenge isn’t technology—it’s the willingness of regulators to implement it.
“The main problem is political will. Some officials benefit from the system as it is, which slows down progress,” he said.
NAFDAC’s Current Approach
NAFDAC has already introduced some technology in its anti-counterfeit efforts. It uses TruScan, a handheld device that tests medicines on the spot. However, TruScan is expensive and limited to pharmaceuticals. The agency also has an SMS verification system where buyers scratch a code on a product and send a text to verify authenticity. But many consumers don’t use this system, making it less effective.
Moving Toward a Digital Solution
For now, NAFDAC relies heavily on physical inspections and shutting down markets, but this approach is not enough. Many Nigerians believe the country needs a stronger digital system that allows consumers to verify products before purchasing them. QR codes offer a practical and affordable way to fight counterfeits while giving people a quick and easy way to check product authenticity.
If Nigeria follows Ghana’s lead and fully integrates QR code verification, it could significantly reduce counterfeit products, protect consumers, and boost confidence in the market.
