Nigeria loses billons in fake lubes


A new education campaign is being launched in Nigeria to help stop the loss of billions of Niaras' worth of revenue from adulterated lubricants.

The campaign, being launched by Nigeria's Department of Petroleum Resources and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, is in response to an estimated loss of more than N200bn ($1.3bn) to the country's economy from adulterated or fake lubricants.

As one of the world's largest importers of used cars, Nigeria is spending around N100bn in dealing with the mechanical issues caused by fake lubes - much of this being sold by unlicenced roadside engine oil dealers - according to MRS Oils's Lube Operations Manager, Mr Ay-obami Odetola.

A further N30bn is apparently spent as a result of health issues caused by emissions from fake engine oil.

The campaign is aimed at highlighting to retailers and consumers the dangers of buying adulterated base oils or unbranded lubricants, not just as vehicle lubricants but also with edible oils.