The Only Nigerian Prince You Should Respond To: Vaseline Takes on Counterfeits With a Real One
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Vaseline launches a new authentication tool that puts product authentication in consumers’ hands and partners Nigerian Prince Chris Okagbue to empower Nigerians to fight back against the fakes
Vaseline launches a new authentication tool that puts product authentication in consumers’ hands and partners Nigerian Prince Chris Okagbue to empower Nigerians to fight back against the fakes
9 April 2026, Lagos, Nigeria – For years, the phrase “Nigerian Prince” has been one of the internet’s most recognised scams — a global punchline that turned a title of heritage into shorthand for deception. Now, Vaseline is cleaning up that narrative by partnering with a real Nigerian prince to tackle a common enemy: fakes.
Fake skincare products is a rising problem globally. Made with unregulated, untested and potentially harmful ingredients that could potentially lead to adverse effects, reactions, or health risks.
With the global trade in fake goods estimated at USD 467 billion , Nigeria’s skincare market has not been spared. Vaseline, one of the country’s most trusted body care brands, has seen fake versions of its famed Vaseline Body Oil being circulated. While Unilever already works with local authorities, the effects of enforcement action against fakes rarely reach consumers fast enough. Even when a counterfeiting ring is shut down, the products it produced are already on shelves and in markets across the country.
Rather than waiting for the system to catch up, Vaseline is putting the power directly into consumers’ hands. First launched in Nigeria in March 2026, the brand had rolled out the Vaseline Authenticator — a free, WhatsApp-based tool that allows consumers to confirm the authenticity of their Vaseline Body Oils in seconds. Consumers scan a QR code found across campaign touchpoints — OOH, social media and supermarkets — to open a WhatsApp conversation.
From there, they simply photograph the front and back of their Vaseline Body Oil and receive an instant response confirming whether it is genuine. The authenticator is currently built for Vaseline Body Oils, the most vulnerable product to being counterfeited at the moment.
To bring the campaign to life, Vaseline has partnered with Nigerian royalty Chris Okagbue, who fronts a series of social films that turn a tired stereotype into a tongue-in-cheek PSA, while pointing consumers to a practical tool to verify their products. The campaign has resonated strongly with Nigerian audiences, sparking widespread conversation as consumers embrace both the cultural reclamation and the utility behind it.
“Counterfeit products are a growing concern for Nigerian consumers, particularly when it comes to products people trust for their skin. This initiative is about making authenticity simple to verify, using a tool they already have in their pocket”, said Shazan Zahir, Head of Beauty & Wellbeing, Unilever International. This initiative is our way of fighting back, not just as a brand, but alongside the consumers and retailers who are affected most. We want every Vaseline product picked up in Lagos, Abuja or anywhere in Nigeria to be the real thing.” said Anirban Mullick – Head of Sales Africa, Unilever International.
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About Vaseline Vaseline has been a trusted name in skin health for over 150 years. What started with a single jar of petroleum jelly has grown into a range of skincare products used by millions of people worldwide. Part of the Unilever family, Vaseline is committed to delivering quality, safe products that protect, heal and nourish skin.
