A Punch investigation by Godfrey George reveals a dangerous underground market for counterfeit, unregulated sex lubricants in Nigeria, manufactured in unhygienic conditions and causing severe injuries and infections, with the national regulatory agency, NAFDAC, urging public vigilance.
A disturbing trade in counterfeit and unregulated sexual lubricants, brewed in unhygienic conditions and sold primarily online, is causing severe health issues for unsuspecting Nigerians, an investigation by GODFREY GEORGE of The Punch has revealed.
These products, manufactured in backrooms and sold in unlabelled bottles without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), are leaving a trail of infections, pain, and lasting trauma.
The report details the experience of Uche (surname withheld), who suffered severe genital injuries after using a product called ‘Last Longer Lube,’ purchased on a friend’s recommendation ahead of a romantic encounter. The lubricant, which claimed to be water-based and have “aphrodisiac properties,” was poorly packaged and carried a label stating it was “Made in Abeokuta.”
Medical professionals who treated Uche confirmed the product was “harsh” and “corrosive,” stripping layers of skin and causing a serious infection. His partner also reported significant medical complications.
The Punch’s investigation traced the product to a network of WhatsApp sellers marketing various unregistered intimacy products packaged in what appeared to be an ordinary bedroom. NAFDAC’s spokesperson, Otunba Sayo Akintola, confirmed the product was not on its approved list, stating, “NAFDAC would never approve any producer to manufacture in a bedroom or living room.”
Akintola urged the public to report such products, assuring that enforcement officials are actively pursuing offenders. The investigation highlights a broader public health crisis, with doctors warning that these unregulated products, often containing harmful ingredients like excessive menthol, pose severe risks to unsuspecting users.