Lagos, Nigeria – June 8, 2026
Guinness Nigeria Plc in collaboration with Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration of Nigeria (ACC), convened industry leaders, regulators, enforcement agencies, and brand owners at its Lagos headquarters on World Anti-Counterfeiting Day 2026 for a high-level engagement themed “Combating Counterfeiting in an AI-Driven and Digitally Connected World.”
The event provided a strategic platform for stakeholders to examine the evolving threat of counterfeiting and explore innovative solutions for protecting consumers, safeguarding brands, and strengthening enforcement in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of Managing Director and CEO Girish Sharma, Corporate Relations and Legal Director Rotimi Odusola described counterfeiting as a rapidly evolving global challenge amplified by digital platforms and emerging technologies.
“Counterfeiting is no longer confined to physical markets or isolated supply chains. It has grown into a highly sophisticated, transnational enterprise, leveraging e-commerce platforms, social networks, and advanced AI tools to produce, promote, and distribute counterfeit goods with alarming efficiency,” he said.
He further noted that while technology has created new opportunities for counterfeiters to scale their operations, it also offers powerful tools for detection, intelligence sharing, and proactive enforcement.
The event was chaired by Sola Dosumu, Chairman of the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration of Nigeria (ACC), who also delivered the keynote address. A panel discussion followed, examining the growing sophistication of technology-enabled counterfeit networks and the need for stronger public-private collaboration.
Among the panelists, Tessy Ojomo, Director of Lagos Operations at the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), highlighted the importance of stronger enforcement and regulatory compliance in curbing counterfeit trade. She noted that stricter penalties and SON certification have become significant deterrents to counterfeiters, and cautioned e-commerce operators to ensure all listed products comply with SON certification requirements to avoid legal consequences.
Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), expressed confidence that ongoing enforcement efforts would soon yield stronger results against counterfeit enablers. He urged brand owners to take ownership of their brands and remain resolute in confronting counterfeit operators.
Additional presentations explored emerging counterfeit risks from a brand-owner perspective, barriers to investigation and prosecution, and the evolving legal frameworks required for effective enforcement. Participants agreed that tackling counterfeiting requires a coordinated ecosystem involving government agencies, enforcement agencies, technology providers, brand owners, digital platforms, and consumers.
Reaffirming Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to combating counterfeit products, Sharma called for sustained cross-sectors collaboration.
“Technology alone is not the solution. Combating counterfeiting in this new era requires collective commitment. It calls for stronger partnerships between brand owners, governments, enforcement agencies, and technology providers. Together, we can harness the power of AI and digital connectivity not just to keep pace with counterfeiters, but to stay decisively ahead of them,” he said.
The engagement was attended by representatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration of Nigeria, as well as staff and leadership of Guinness Nigeria Plc.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to deepen collaboration, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and promote the value of authenticity in today’s increasingly connected world.