Nigeria: Federal Government Signs Agreement to Deploy Product Authentication and Tracking System

The Federal Government has formalised a major agreement to deploy the Products Authentication and Tracking System (PATS), in a decisive move aimed at tackling counterfeit and substandard goods while restoring confidence in Nigeria’s markets.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on Thursday, the agreement was signed in Abuja under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The initiative brings together the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and Conformity Management Solutions Limited, with technology support from Switzerland-based SICPA.

The partnership is designed to strengthen product verification, improve traceability, and enhance consumer protection across the country.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the initiative as a critical reform that would protect consumers and support local industries.

“This system represents a bold and necessary reform that will not only combat counterfeit goods but also protect consumers, enhance regulatory efficiency, and position Nigerian products competitively within the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Enoh said.

Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Ewalefoh, noted that the project had secured all required approvals, including that of the Federal Executive Council. He said the approvals underscore the credibility of the initiative and pave the way for transparent and efficient implementation.

Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, explained that the system would strengthen enforcement efforts and significantly reduce the circulation of substandard goods. He added that the platform would enable real-time product verification and improve regulatory oversight across Nigerian markets.

Representing NAFDAC, Deputy Director Dinah Sam Dinah said the initiative would unify existing tracking mechanisms into a single national system accessible to regulators and consumers.

SICPA Chief Business Officer, Gianni Nigro, also stated that the company would support the implementation through technology deployment, local investment, and capacity development.

The ministry added that the Products Authentication and Tracking System will be deployed across key sectors, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, electronics, textiles, chemicals, and building materials.