SON Steps Up Consumer Campaign Against Fake Products, Urges Buyers to Verify Goods

• The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has intensified efforts to protect consumers from counterfeit and substandard products, urging Nigerians to verify product authenticity before making purchases as the agency expands technology-driven authentication and market surveillance.

The renewed campaign comes amid concerns over the proliferation of fake and substandard goods in the Nigerian market, where counterfeit products can expose consumers to safety risks, financial losses and poor value for money.

Speaking at the 2026 World Standards Day celebration in Abuja, SON Director-General and Chief Executive, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said the organisation was strengthening product authentication, traceability and market surveillance to help consumers distinguish genuine goods from unapproved products.

At the centre of the initiative is the Product Authentication Tracking System, which allows consumers to use mobile phones to verify products carrying the relevant authentication technology. The system is designed to make verification easier and reduce dependence on physical visits or enquiries to SON.

The agency’s existing Product Authentication Mark (PAM) scheme also uses security stickers and QR codes to help consumers check the authenticity of eligible products. SON says the marks are issued for certified products and support traceability across the supply chain. <

How consumers can spot suspicious products

SON advises consumers to pay attention to certification marks on products and their packaging. Locally manufactured products certified under the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) and products bearing the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) mark can be identified through the applicable certification markings.

Consumers should also examine labels, packaging and product information carefully, check whether the manufacturer’s details are provided and be cautious of goods whose markings appear altered, inconsistent or suspicious.

Where a product carries a Product Authentication Mark with a QR code, buyers can use a smartphone to scan the code and follow the available verification process. A mark or logo that merely resembles an official certification symbol should not be treated as conclusive proof of authenticity.

Consumers who suspect that a product is fake, unsafe or improperly labelled should seek clarification from SON and provide relevant details, including the product name, manufacturer, seller and place of purchase

Crackdown on substandard goods

Okeke urged market associations, traders and business owners to stock and sell products that meet applicable standards and carry the required certification marks

He warned that manufacturers of substandard goods gain an unfair advantage over legitimate businesses by cutting corners on quality, undermining compliant producers and weakening consumer confidence in Nigerian-made products.

SON’s enforcement responsibilities include market surveillance, inspection of warehouses and distribution points, investigation of complaints, seizure of non-compliant products and, where warranted, the destruction of goods confirmed to be substandard.

The organisation is also transitioning from its previous certification logo to a redesigned mark intended to make approved products easier for consumers to recognise. Buyers and traders are therefore encouraged to consult SON’s official guidance rather than rely on the appearance of a logo alone.

Beyond consumer awarenes

The campaign forms part of a wider effort to strengthen standards compliance across Nigeria’s manufacturing and import sectors.

SON operates the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) to assess regulated imported products before they enter the Nigerian market, while MANCAP provides conformity assessment for locally manufactured goods. These programmes are intended to ensure that products meet applicable Nigerian standards and safety requirements.

The agency has also been expanding digital services to improve access to standards and streamline conformity assessment procedures for businesses. Such measures could help reduce compliance bottlenecks for legitimate importers and manufacturers while improving the traceability of regulated products.

However, the effectiveness of the campaign will depend not only on consumer vigilance but also on consistent enforcement, accessible verification systems and prompt action against businesses found selling counterfeit or substandard goods.

For consumers, the message is straightforward: check the relevant certification marks, use available authentication tools, examine product information and report suspicious goods. For manufacturers, importers and traders, compliance with applicable standards remains essential to protecting consumers, sustaining fair competition and building confidence in the Nigerian market.