FCCPC, Lagos Agency Sign MoU To Strengthen Consumer Protection

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen consumer protection, enhance complaint resolution, and deepen regulatory cooperation between federal and state institutions.
The agreement, signed at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja, is aimed at improving consumer welfare through closer institutional collaboration and more efficient handling of consumer complaints.
Speaking at the ceremony, the executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the MoU reflects a shared commitment to promoting fair business practices and protecting consumers across the country.
He noted that consumer protection now spans multiple sectors, including transportation, food, housing, healthcare, digital services, financial transactions, e-commerce, product safety, pricing transparency, advertising, and essential services.
According to him, as markets become more complex, consumer complaints are also evolving, often cutting across sectors and jurisdictions, thereby requiring coordinated and responsive regulation.
Bello explained that while the FCCPC has continued to implement its mandate through enforcement, market surveillance, complaint resolution, advocacy, and public education, effective consumer protection cannot be driven from Abuja alone.
“Many consumer issues arise at the state and community levels, where timely intervention is critical,” he said, stressing the importance of strong state institutions in building a credible national consumer protection system.
He described Lagos as a strategic hub, given its status as Nigeria’s commercial centre, with a dense concentration of consumers, businesses, and digital enterprises.
Bello added that the presence of the Commission’s South West Zonal Office in Lagos provides a solid platform for sustained collaboration with LASCOPA, particularly in complaint handling, intelligence sharing, consumer education, and coordinated enforcement actions.
He said the MoU covers key areas such as information sharing, complaint referrals, joint consumer education, capacity development, and market intelligence exchange, as well as coordinated action where necessary.
The FCCPC boss emphasised that the agreement is designed as a practical tool to deliver faster response times, clearer complaint channels, improved consumer awareness, and better coordination between federal and state authorities.
He added that businesses would also benefit from more consistent engagement, clearer regulatory expectations, and a stronger culture of fair dealing.
Bello reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to encouraging states to strengthen consumer protection laws that reflect local realities, noting that effective collaboration between federal and state regulators would boost confidence in Nigeria’s marketplace.
He commended both agencies for finalising the agreement and stressed that its success would depend on sustained implementation and measurable outcomes.
Bello expressed optimism that the partnership would help build a more responsive and effective consumer protection system, particularly within one of Nigeria’s most active commercial environments.