Nigeria’s wine industry is ramping up its campaign against counterfeit and substandard wines as concerns grow over consumer safety, declining public confidence, and significant revenue losses for government and legitimate businesses.

Speaking at a wine-tasting event in Lagos, Chinedu Rita Rosa, Founder of Vines by Rosa and the first African Black woman wine consultant, said the initiative aims to guarantee that Nigerians have access to genuine, high-quality wines at fair prices. With 26 years of experience in importing, wholesaling, and wine education, Rosa emphasized that supply-chain transparency is essential to eliminating fraudulent products.

“We introduce you to our importers, distributors, restaurants, and hotels that carry our wines so you can be confident that no one is selling fake products to you,” she said.

Rosa highlighted that consumer education is a powerful tool in the fight against counterfeit wines, noting that many buyers struggle to distinguish original labels from imitations. She encouraged consumers to verify wine sources online and research both the wineries and the distributors before making purchases.

Beyond consumer protection, Rosa pointed out that removing fake wines from circulation has economic benefits. Every bottle of legitimate wine contributes to government revenue through taxes and customs duties, she said, adding that counterfeit products undermine this revenue stream.

She also stressed the public-health dangers associated with substandard wines. “We don’t want people drinking substandard wines and falling sick. The worst thing you want in a country is a population that is unhealthy, because that affects our GDP,” she warned.

Although Nigeria does not produce wine, its strong consumer base and large import volumes make regulatory enforcement especially important. “We are consumers, and on every wine bottle opened, there are taxes. The government is making a lot of revenue,” Rosa added.

Also speaking at the event, Roberto Cardinale, Export Manager for Settecani and Fina wineries, noted that wine appreciation in Nigeria is growing rapidly. He attributed this trend partly to Nigerians returning from overseas with more refined tastes and higher expectations of quality.

“The appreciation is growing, and the level of wines consumed is getting higher. Nigerians want to experience the same quality they enjoy abroad,” he said.

As stakeholders push for stronger standards and better regulation, the goal remains clear: protect consumers, strengthen legitimate businesses, and reinforce Nigeria’s expanding footprint in the global wine market.