The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to defend the rights of consumers and ensure fair business practices in Nigeria.
The declaration was made by the Commission’s executive vice chairman/CEO, Tunji Bello,yesterday in Abuja, even as he decried the misinterpretation of the 2018 FCCP Act by some “self-styled commentators.”
Speaking at a one-day seminar to mark the 2025 World Consumer Day, Bello observed that the provisions of the FCCPA upon which the Commission acts were being misinterpreted by some to project FCCPC in bad light.
“It is very disturbing to hear or read parochial arguments of those who, out of ignorance of the law, seek to erect walls of sophistry against FCCPC in its discharge of this clear mandate.
“Today’s seminar drew a large number of participants from advocacy bodies, government agencies and academia. Many joined virtually as well,” he said.
Bello defended that Sections 17 and 18 of the FCCPA 2018 expressly vested the Commission with the statutory authority “to regulate competition and consumer protection across all sectors in our national life which is consistent global best practices.”
This notion, he stated, “was, in fact, recently affirmed by the court of competent jurisdiction. In one word, the law charges the FCCPC to champion the rights of consumers of goods and services in Nigeria.”
Denying the suggestion that the FCCPC was a price control board, Bello contended that the agency only gets “involved when the rights of consumers are breached or when the market is being manipulated in a manner that impedes fair competition.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let it be recognised that, in all of its actions, the Commission is guided by just one single commitment, and that is the pursuit of public interest. But, we recognise we cannot further this advocacy alone. My clarion call today therefore is to all true patriots to join this crusade to protect the consumers and make the market fair and safe in Nigeria,” Bello added.
In his keynote address entitled: “A Just Transition To Sustainable Lifestyles,” Professor Joe Abugu (SAN) of the University of Lagos, canvassed an approach which recognises that “sustainable lifestyles must be culturally appropriate rather than imposed through standardised global models.”
The erudite speaker anchored his submission on the metaphor of the
Baobab tree.
The panel of discussants included the president of the National
Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip;
Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor and Barrister Temilade Oluwalana.
The other highlight of the event was the presentation of the star
prize for the 8th edition of the National Young Consumer Contest
(NYCC) to Miss Madiebo Ifunaya of the Nigerian Navy Secondary School,
Port Harcourt.
The second position went to Miss Michaela Chikamso of St. Bridget
Girls Grammar School, Asaba, Delta State,while the third position went
to Miss Oluwajobi Ewaogooluwa of St Theresa’s Catholic School, Oluwajobi, Bwari, Abuja.
More than 600 entries were received by FCCPC for this year’s essay
competition with the theme: “Is AI Hurting or Helping Consumers?”
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