An Ibadan-based pharmacist, Abiodun Ajibade, has raised concerns over the proliferation of fake and substandard products in Nigerian markets, warning that they pose serious risks to public health and safety.
Ajibade made the remarks in a statement on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State, ahead of a week-long business exhibition and empowerment summit.
The event is designed to promote Nigeria’s productive economy by showcasing authentic local products across sectors such as healthcare, beauty, renewable energy, and arts and crafts.
As Team Lead of Gleanforte Academy Limited, Ajibade said the exhibition will provide local manufacturers with increased visibility and patronage while helping to curb the spread of counterfeit goods.
He noted that the summit will also facilitate connections between producers, buyers, and consumers, with the overarching goal of strengthening local business ventures across Nigeria.
He said, “GleanForte Academy is hosting Genspark 2026, a week-long business exhibition and empowerment summit, at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, from March 17-21, 2026.
“The event aims to boost Nigeria’s productive economy by showcasing genuine local products, including healthcare, beauty, renewable energy, and arts & crafts. The exhibition will provide visibility and patronage for local manufacturers, combat fake products, and foster connections between producers, buyers, and consumers.
“The exhibition strives to establish a direct relationship between the consumers, the buyers, and bulk breakers with the producers. The organizer harped that the prevalence of fake products in the market space is alarming, and at the Ibadan business exhibition, genuine products from the manufacturers would be brought closer to the genuine businessmen, women, and the general public.
“The manufacturers’ desire to also compete with imported products is expected to be given better momentum as the exhibition will be attracting over two thousand guests daily, drawn from within Ibadan and the neighbouring states of Southwest Nigeria. This will help the good distribution of their brands, networking with new business contacts, and sustained business interests.
“The need to give productive engagement more visibility is at the base of the Ibadan business exhibition, and everyone involved in different productive endeavours is expected to use the platform to take their products to the marketplace.
“The summit intends to showcase local products from all sectors as a way to enhance the business endeavours of Nigerians. We are trying to bring people’s products to the fore.”