By Chimdiogo Amuh 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered an illegal factory producing counterfeit “Goya oil” and dismantled a large syndicate involved in the production and distribution of fake alcoholic beverages in Lagos, warning that the activities pose serious threats to public health.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, Mr Martins Iluyomade, said the discoveries were made during routine surveillance and enforcement operations conducted over the past few weeks.

According to him, NAFDAC operatives uncovered an illicit production site within the Oke-Arin Market area of Lagos, where fake Goya oil was being locally manufactured and packaged for sale.

“The genuine Goya oil is imported into Nigeria through a reputable company, and original products are still in circulation. However, we discovered that some individuals were faking the product and producing it within the market,” Iluyomade said.

He explained that the counterfeit oil was produced by burning palm oil and adding chlorine, using crude equipment such as stoves, before refilling and repackaging the mixture into empty containers.

Iluyomade warned Nigerians, particularly churches and prayer houses where the oil is commonly used, that original Goya oil is never packaged in plastic (PET) bottles.

“There is no original Goya oil in plastic bottles. The authentic product comes only in glass bottles. Anywhere you see it being sold in PET bottles, report it to the nearest NAFDAC office,” he cautioned.

He further expressed concern over the growing use of fake anointing oils in religious settings, describing the practice as dangerous.

“Some people even drink anointing oil. You are not drinking anointing oil; you are drinking poison,” he warned.

Iluyomade said NAFDAC’s enforcement strategy focuses on stopping production at the source rather than penalising unsuspecting traders.

“Once we stop production, whatever is already in circulation will naturally dry up. We do not want to compound the problem of market women and others who may not be aware. But for the producers, it is the end of the road,” he stated.

He appealed to religious organisations to cooperate with the agency to prevent the sale or use of the counterfeit product within their premises.

In a related development, Iluyomade revealed that NAFDAC also dismantled a major syndicate involved in the counterfeiting of alcoholic drinks in Lagos, describing the practice as widespread and highly lucrative for criminals.

“The faking of alcoholic drinks has become seriously endemic in Nigeria because it is one of the easiest products to counterfeit,” he said.

He disclosed that a suspect, identified as Mr Moses Nelson, was arrested in the Badagry area of Lagos and has since been charged to court. According to him, a wide range of fake alcoholic brands were recovered from the suspect’s residence, with the syndicate operating a distribution network supplying major markets across Lagos.

NAFDAC has warned distributors and retailers against patronising unauthorised suppliers, reiterating its commitment to protecting public health and ridding the market of fake and substandard products.