Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents from counterfeit, expired, substandard and unsafe products, saying efforts are being intensified to rid markets and distribution outlets of harmful goods.
A statement by the Lagos state government said the General Manager of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA, Mr. Afolabi Solebo, made this known during a press briefing held in Ikeja as part of activities marking the 2026 World Anti-Counterfeiting Day and World Food Safety Day.
Solebo said consumer protection remains a key priority of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, stressing that residents deserve access to safe, genuine and quality products.
He disclosed that LASCOPA would continue routine and surprise inspections of markets, supermarkets, warehouses and distribution centres across the state to identify and remove counterfeit, expired and substandard products from circulation.
According to him, the agency is also strengthening collaboration with relevant government agencies, regulatory bodies and security institutions to ensure that those involved in the production, importation, distribution or sale of harmful products are brought to justice.
“The agency is deepening partnerships with manufacturers’ associations, market leaders, regulatory agencies, and civil society organisations to encourage compliance with safety standards, ethical business practices, and self-regulation within the market,” Solebo said.
Solebo added that LASCOPA would expand its public awareness campaigns to educate residents on consumer rights, how to identify fake products and available channels for reporting violations.
He urged residents to remain vigilant by checking expiry dates, certification marks and product labels before making purchases and encouraged them to report suspected counterfeit or unsafe products through the agency’s official complaint channels.
The LASCOPA boss also called on traders, manufacturers, distributors and consumers to support efforts aimed at ensuring a safer marketplace, while encouraging residents to embrace the agency’s whistle-blower initiative, “when You see something, say something.”
He encouraged residents to report complaints or seek redress through LASCOPA’s toll-free line, its official social media channels, or by visiting the agency’s headquarters in Allen, Ikeja, as well as its annex offices across the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the state.
