The Federal Government has launched a new initiative aimed at eliminating counterfeit and substandard goods from Nigerian markets through the deployment of the Products Authentication and Tracking System (PATS).
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the project was formalised in Abuja under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement. The agreement brings together key regulatory bodies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Conformity Management Solutions Limited, and Swiss technology firm SICPA.
The system is expected to strengthen product verification processes, improve traceability, and enhance consumer protection across various sectors.
At the signing ceremony, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the initiative as a significant reform that will not only tackle fake goods but also protect consumers, boost regulatory efficiency, and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian products within the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Ewalefoh, stated that the project has received all necessary approvals, including that of the Federal Executive Council, ensuring a credible and transparent rollout.
Similarly, the Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, noted that the system would enhance enforcement efforts, enable real-time product authentication, and reduce the circulation of substandard goods.
A representative of NAFDAC, Deputy Director Dinah Sam Dinah, explained that the platform would harmonise existing tracking mechanisms into a unified national system. This, she said, would allow regulators to trace fake products to their sources while empowering consumers to verify the authenticity of goods.
SICPA’s Chief Business Officer, Gianni Nigro, added that the company would support implementation through advanced technology, local investment, and capacity building.
The government noted that the system will be rolled out across key industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, electronics, textiles, chemicals, and building materials, to ensure product safety and integrity nationwide.
