Senate of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal government to urgently address the growing menace of fake drugs, adulterated food and other harmful consumables in the country.
The students’ body also demanded a comprehensive overhaul of the regulation of online sales of drugs, food products and other consumables.
The demand was contained in a statement signed by the President of the NANS Senate, Ibeabuchi Moses Onyia, on Sunday.
NANS expressed concern over what it described as years of weak enforcement, inadequate monitoring of digital commerce and an apparent culture of impunity among individuals involved in the distribution of unsafe products.
The association said Nigerians had increasingly relied on social media platforms and reports from citizens to expose suspected counterfeit and adulterated products rather than receiving timely warnings from regulatory authorities.
It listed some of the alleged products as counterfeit toothpaste carrying a popular international brand, dyed palm oil, artificially enhanced fruits, fake soy sauce, olive oil and yoghurt.
NANS also raised concerns over the emergence of what it described as a “shadow economy” on social media and e-commerce platforms, where drugs, supplements, cosmetics and food products are allegedly marketed without proper registration or approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Citing former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the students’ body said the problem could affect Nigerians irrespective of their social or economic status.
According to NANS, Prof Osinbajo had disclosed that his wife suffered unexplained headaches after consuming freshly squeezed orange juice, which laboratory tests later found to be unfit for human consumption, allegedly because of chemicals such as calcium carbide used in ripening fruits.
The association described the situation as a development, security and moral crisis, warning that the consequences of regulatory failure could extend beyond immediate health concerns.
NANS said fake drugs could fail to treat illnesses or cause death, while adulterated food could damage organs and reduce the productive years of affected citizens.
The students’ body accused NAFDAC of failing to adequately protect Nigerians from counterfeit and harmful products.
The statement read in part: “An agency established to protect the health and lives of Nigerians has, through weak enforcement, allowed criminals peddling poison to operate with confidence rather than fear.”
NANS further alleged that vendors were operating openly on digital platforms without adequate verification, traceability or consequences.
It said the alleged experience involving the former Vice President demonstrated the seriousness of the situation and called for an immediate national response.
Among its demands, NANS called for mandatory verification of all vendors selling food, drugs and other consumables online, as well as the prosecution of individuals and platforms found to be facilitating unregulated sales.
The students also demanded the release of findings referenced by Osinbajo and an independent investigation into chemicals allegedly being used to treat or ripen produce sold in Nigerian markets.
Other demands included immediate action against identified counterfeiters, rather than what it described as sporadic public notices, as well as regular and transparent reporting by NAFDAC on its enforcement activities and outcomes.
NANS said Nigerian students would not remain silent while their colleagues, families and other citizens were exposed to potentially dangerous products.
The association urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action rather than setting up another committee or issuing another statement.
“We call on President Tinubu to act, not with another committee or statement, but with decisive, verifiable reform. The health of this nation and the future of its development depend on it,” the statement said.