Nigerian food critic Opeyemi Famakin has called out some Igbo social media users for allegedly branding concerns over counterfeit products as tribalism and Igbophobia.

In a video shared online, Famakin claimed Kano is Nigeria’s second-largest hub for fake products, while alleging that Igbo traders dominate the counterfeit trade.

“Are you guys not tired of using tribalism and Igbophobia? All of us are dying. All of us are dying from this fake,” he said.

He noted that counterfeit drinks, alcohol and other consumables pose health risks to all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity, including Igbos.

Famakin clarified that his criticism was aimed at those involved in producing fake goods, not the entire Igbo community, whom he described as some of the nicest people he has met offline.

He also backed NAFDAC’s efforts against counterfeit products, saying the agency is trying but needs to improve.

He urged Nigerians to focus on addressing the menace rather than turning the conversation into an ethnic debate.