Nigeria’s Poultry Industry Under Siege: Fake Drugs Threaten Growth
Fake Veterinary Drugs: A Hidden Threat to Nigeria’s Poultry Sector
NIGERIA’S poultry industry, long regarded as one of the nation’s fastest-growing agribusiness sectors, is facing a silent but devastating crisis. Stakeholders warn that the proliferation of fake and substandard veterinary medicines (VMPs) could erode the country’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of poultry farmers.
In interviews with industry participants, it became clear that counterfeit medicines do more than fail to cure animals—they compromise productivity, food safety, and Nigeria’s credibility in regional and international markets. Poultry products tainted with poor-quality drugs risk rejection in AfCFTA countries, where strict sanitary and phytosanitary standards apply.
The Human Cost Behind Ineffective Drugs
For farmers, the implications are immediate and harsh. Prince Oyewumi Oyetunde, a veteran livestock stakeholder, explained that fake drugs often contain little or no active ingredients, leading to treatment failures. “Diseases like Newcastle disease or salmonellosis remain uncontrolled, increasing bird mortality and reducing egg production,” he said.
Financial losses are compounded when farmers are forced to purchase additional medications to combat persistent illnesses. Uncontrolled outbreaks disrupt feeding schedules, vaccination programs, and overall flock management, creating a cascading effect on farm operations.
Even more worrying is the long-term risk of antimicrobial resistance, which makes previously manageable diseases harder to treat, forcing reliance on costlier alternatives. Oyetunde stressed that declining product quality also undermines consumer confidence, limiting access to larger markets.
Emotional and Operational Strain on Farmers
Iyiola Mojeed, Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Lagos State chapter, described poultry farming as highly sensitive, where even minor errors in disease management can lead to total farm failure. “Farmers often experience double losses—birds die, and money spent on fake drugs is wasted,” he said.
Mojeed added that distinguishing between genuine and counterfeit drugs is challenging, as packaging often appears identical. Farmers frequently only discover the problem after their flocks continue to die, a scenario that breeds both financial and emotional stress.
The issue is exacerbated by individuals posing as veterinary professionals without proper credentials, often worsening disease outbreaks rather than mitigating them. “Unqualified people parading as veterinary doctors often cause more harm than good,” Mojeed warned.
Regulatory Gaps and the Call for Action
Experts agree that systemic reforms are long overdue. Stakeholders at a Ministerial Roundtable on Livestock Development highlighted the need for stricter oversight of veterinary drug importation, as well as regular monitoring of drug outlets by the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association.
Sunday Ezeobiora, PAN’s national president, called for stronger enforcement of the Animal Diseases (Control) Act 2022, which prohibits the importation of unapproved veterinary medicines. He advocated for the establishment of a National Veterinary Formulary, setting benchmark standards for drug safety, formulation, and effectiveness.
“The poultry industry is under siege from unauthorised veterinary medicinal products,” Ezeobiora said. He warned that continued circulation of fake drugs would further increase mortality, depress productivity, and threaten the entire value chain.
Collaboration as a Solution
Industry leaders urge collaboration between government, veterinarians, and farmers. Awareness campaigns can educate farmers about the dangers of substandard medicines, while regulatory enforcement ensures only approved drugs reach the market.
Without decisive intervention, Nigeria risks losing both credibility and economic potential in regional and international poultry markets. The survival of farms, consumer confidence, and the broader food security agenda are all at stake.
“Protecting farmers’ investments and public health is not optional; it is essential if Nigeria wants to remain competitive under AfCFTA,” Ezeobiora concluded.
