Consumer Rights Day: FCCPC Demands Higher Product Safety Standards

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has intensified pressure on manufacturers, importers and service providers to prioritise product safety, warning that substandard goods threaten consumer trust and weaken Nigeria’s market system.

The Commission issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja during the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day celebration and the 9th National Consumers Contest Awards, where regulators, industry stakeholders and consumer advocates gathered to review the state of consumer protection in the country.

Executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said this year’s theme, “Safe Products, Confident Consumers,” highlights the direct connection between product safety and economic stability.

“Where safety is uncertain, confidence declines. And where confidence declines, markets become weaker, less efficient, and less trustworthy,” Bello said.

He expressed concern over persistent violations across sectors, noting that many products still fail to meet basic safety and quality benchmarks.

According to him, infractions include mislabelled goods, products that do not comply with minimum safety standards and, in some cases, deliberate disregard for regulatory requirements.

Bello warned that such practices expose consumers to avoidable risks while creating unfair competition for businesses that comply with established rules.

Linking consumer protection to the federal government’s ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bello said strengthening regulatory compliance is essential to building transparent, investment-friendly markets.

“Consumer protection is a key part of that effort. Safe, reliable, and transparent markets support sustainable growth,” he said.

He reiterated that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (2018) guarantees consumers the right to safe, durable and fit-for-purpose products, stressing that businesses must promptly address safety concerns through product recalls, withdrawals and proper consumer notification.

Failure to comply, he warned, attracts regulatory sanctions.

Bello disclosed that the FCCPC has expanded market surveillance operations, enhanced product testing capacity and intensified enforcement actions in priority sectors. He added that the Commission is strengthening collaboration with regulatory partners, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to close enforcement gaps that allow unsafe products into the market.

Beyond enforcement measures, the FCCPC boss underscored the importance of consumer education, highlighting the role of the National Young Consumers Contest in promoting awareness and responsible purchasing behaviour among young Nigerians.

“Consumer protection is not only about enforcement. It is also about education, awareness, critical thinking, and responsible engagement,” Bello said.

While clarifying that the FCCPC does not fix prices, he noted that transparency, fairness and adherence to safety standards remain fundamental to efficient market operations. He urged consumers to remain vigilant by examining products carefully and reporting unsafe or substandard goods.

The event drew participation from regulatory agencies, trade associations and media organisations, reinforcing calls for coordinated action to strengthen accountability across Nigeria’s marketplace.

“Safe and reliable markets depend on responsible business conduct, effective regulation, and informed consumer participation. That standard must be upheld consistently,” Bello said.