The Federal Government has taken a major step to rid Nigerian markets of counterfeit and substandard products with the launch of a new Products Authentication and Tracking System (PATS).
In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment said the initiative was formalised through a Public-Private Partnership agreement signed in Abuja. The deal involves key agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Conformity Management Solutions Limited, and Switzerland-based technology firm SICPA.
The system is designed to improve product verification, traceability, and consumer protection across the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the initiative as a crucial reform aimed at safeguarding consumers and supporting local manufacturers. He noted that the platform would also enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness within the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Ewalefoh, confirmed that the project had received all necessary approvals, including clearance from the Federal Executive Council, adding that it is ready for transparent and efficient implementation.
Also, the Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said the system would boost enforcement efforts, enable real-time product checks, and reduce the spread of fake goods in the market.
Representing NAFDAC, Deputy Director Dinah Sam Dinah explained that the platform would integrate existing tracking systems into a unified national framework, allowing regulators to trace counterfeit goods to their origin while giving consumers the ability to verify products themselves.
SICPA’s Chief Business Officer, Gianni Nigro, said the company would provide the technology backbone for the project, along with local investment and capacity development.
According to the statement, the system will be deployed across major sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, electronics, textiles, chemicals, and building materials to ensure product quality and safety nationwide.
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