Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has stepped forward to sound the alarm over what she describes as a dangerous surge in counterfeit and contaminated products circulating across Nigeria.
In a video posted to her Instagram page on Sunday, October 4, 2026, Kadiri expressed serious concern about the quality and safety of everyday items available to Nigerian consumers.
Ruth Kadiri pointed to food items, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, and household goods as categories where substandard and potentially harmful products are now rampant.
“Dear Nigerians, I’m speaking to you today with a heavy heart and deep concern about the circulation of fake products in our country. Every day, people buy food, drinks, medicine, cosmetics, and household products believing that they are safe, but sadly, some are poorly produced, contaminated, harmful and mostly fake. This is not just a business problem; it’s a threat to human life. Imagine little children battling kidney failure,” she said.
Ruth Kadiri’s call to NAFDAC The actress directed a pointed appeal at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), urging the regulatory body to pay closer attention to what is entering the Nigerian market. She stressed that the health consequences of continued inaction fall squarely on ordinary citizens. Ruth Kadiri also shared a personal incident to illustrate her fears. She described blending fresh garlic and stepping away briefly, only to return and find its colour had changed in a way she found deeply unsettling.
She added that the experience has left her too anxious to buy pre-packaged drinks for her own children. “NAFDAC, please pay attention to the lives of Nigerians. Lots and lots of people are sick and are not getting better,” she said, urging parents and guardians to verify expiry dates and NAFDAC registration numbers before making any purchase.
Colleagues and fans weigh in on Ruth Kadiri’s fake products concern The video drew a wave of support from fellow industry figures and everyday Nigerians alike. Veteran actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde wrote: “God Bless you always Ruthie. Well done 👍🏼.”
May Edochie commented: “❤️❤️❤️❤️ is getting out of hand for real.” Other reactions included: @iamonyekamercy wrote: “Well Spoken My Queen 🙏🏻👏❤️” @georginaibeh commented: “Thank you for this message 👏👏👏. We don’t even know what is authentic anymore 🙆♀️🙆♀️🙆♀️” @paramountentertainment_ shared: “Thank you so much, if I say what fakeee medication did to me 😢😢😢 I know I will survive this and tell my story soon” – @binet4u wrote: “Absolutely right… Happening everywhere now… 😢”
—By Kola Ogunkanmi
