The Federal Government has signed a major agreement to deploy a Product Authentication and Tracking System as part of efforts to eliminate counterfeit and substandard goods from Nigerian markets.
The deal, sealed in Abuja under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement, involves the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, alongside Conformity Management Solutions Limited, with technical backing from SICPA.
In a statement issued by the ministry, the initiative is aimed at strengthening product verification, improving traceability and enhancing consumer protection across the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, described the system as a significant policy step towards safeguarding consumers and boosting local production.
He said the platform would not only help curb the proliferation of fake goods but also improve regulatory processes and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products within the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Providing further details, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Jobson Ewalefoh, disclosed that the project had secured all necessary regulatory approvals, including clearance from the Federal Executive Council.
According to him, the completion of due processes reflects the project’s credibility and readiness for implementation.
Also speaking, the Director-General of SON, Ifeanyi Okeke, said the initiative would strengthen enforcement mechanisms and significantly reduce the circulation of substandard products.
He added that the system would enable real-time authentication and improve monitoring across supply chains.
A representative of NAFDAC, Dinah Sam Dinah, said the platform would integrate existing tracking systems into a unified national framework accessible to both regulators and consumers.
She explained that the technology would allow authorities to trace fake products to their origin, while empowering consumers to verify product authenticity before purchase.
On his part, SICPA Chief Business Officer, Gianni Nigro, said the firm would support the rollout through advanced technology deployment, local investment and capacity building.
The government noted that the system would be implemented across critical sectors, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, electronics, textiles, chemicals and building materials, to ensure product integrity and market confidence.
