Tag: FCCPC

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has expressed delight over the recent court rulings that uphold consumer rights in Nigeria.

The rulings include the Lagos High Court’s award of N5 million in damages against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and the Enugu High Court’s decision declaring Peace Mass Transit’s no refund policy unlawful.

A statement by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tunji Bello, praised the courts for ensuring fair outcomes that strengthen consumer confidence and accountability in the marketplace.

Bello noted that the judgments showed the strength of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), 2018, which empowers consumers to seek redress and requires service providers to meet lawful standards of fair service delivery.

The FCCPC chief executive also praised the consumers for using lawful channels to pursue justice rather than recourse to self-help. He explained that the law provides several ways for consumers to express their grievances and that these decisions confirm the courts’ willingness to protect consumer rights.

Bello recalled that between March and August this year, the commission facilitated the recoveries of more than N10 billion for consumers across 30 sectors.

The chief executive said this demonstrated the growing effectiveness of Nigeria’s consumer protection system.

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“The consistent judicial enforcement complements the Commission’s regulatory work and reinforces the message that consumer-rights violations attract real consequences. He urged consumers to continue reporting unfair practices through the FCCPC complaint portal, email, or any of its offices nationwide,” he said.

In one of the two decided cases, the Lagos High Court, presided over by Justice R. O. Olukolu, awarded N5 million in general damages to a DStv subscriber, Mr. Ben Onuora, for the wrongful disconnection of his active subscription.

The court found that MultiChoice acted unlawfully by cutting off its service, despite verified payment, causing inconvenience to the claimant and his family.

“It ordered immediate reconnection and an extension to cover the period of disconnection, relying on sections 130, 136, and 142–145 of the FCCPA 2018, which safeguard consumers’ rights to quality service and make suppliers liable for interrupted or defective delivery,” the statement said.

In the second case, the Enugu High Court, presided over by Justice C. O. Ajah, ruled that Peace Mass Transit’s “no refund after payment” policy was illegal and void under sections 120, 104, and 129(1) of the FCCPA 2018.

The company was ordered to pay ₦500,000 in damages to a passenger, Mr. Tochukwu Odo, whose fare was withheld after an uncompleted trip.

The court held that service providers must ensure a refund to consumers when a service is not rendered.

It stressed that policies that deny refunds breach statutory consumer rights.

Bello said the FCCPC is Nigeria’s primary agency for consumer protection and competition regulation under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.

The CEO said the commission promotes fair markets, safeguards consumer rights, and ensures accountability across all sectors.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has said access to safe, unadulterated, and nutritious food is a key pillar of public health.

The executive vice chairman of the Commission, Mr. Olatunji Bello, stated this in a one day sensitisation campaign on food quality standard, safety regulations and safe business practices.

Bello, who was represented by the director, Quality Assurance and Development, Dr. Nkechi Mba, also said ‘Food is not merely for sustenance or a commodity; it is a fundamental human right.’

Bello in his keynote address at the event held at Novel Suite Rayfield Jos on Thursday noted that the Commission has a statutory responsibility to protect and promote the interest and welfare of consumers as well as ensure fair competition.

He said, “Ensuring the quality and safety of what we eat is not a responsibility that rests solely with regulators or manufacturers, it is a shared commitment.”

He pointed out that the issues of food quality standards, safety, and fair business practices are more pressing than ever, but we continue to witness alarming trends like the forceful ripening of fruits using harmful chemicals such as calcium carbide, adulteration of food products with dangerous additives and preservative chemicals such as bromate, and improper handling and contamination across the food value chain.

“These practices not only endanger the lives of millions of Nigerians, but they also erode consumer trust and sabotage the integrity of our food systems.”

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He stressed that the FCCPC, as the apex consumer protection body in Nigeria, has the statutory mandate to promote consumer interests, ensure fair market practices, and prevent exploitative or dangerous conduct in all sectors of the economy, including the food and agricultural sector.

He told stakeholders at the event that they are critical to the nation’s food security and health, as they say, “you are what you eat”. Therefore, you all have the responsibility and duty of care to the public as every product you put on the shelves for consumers affects a family or a community positively or negatively.

“Let it be known that any operator who places profit over public safety will face the full wrath of the law.

“To the food industry stakeholders: note that the future of your businesses depends on your integrity. Upholding food safety and quality is not only a legal obligation but a moral duty.

“To the consumers: note that knowledge is power. Be vigilant, be informed, and demand the standards you deserve. When you are empowered, you help elevate the entire system by rewarding businesses that act responsibly and discouraging those that cut corners.”

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced its support for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) draft guidelines requiring all banks to refund customers’ money in cases of failed Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions within 48 hours.

In a statement by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagu, the FCCPC said the exposure of the CBN’s Draft Guidelines on the Operations of Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in Nigeria followed the commission’s Consumer Complaints Data Report published last month.

“The report, which covered the period from March to August 2025, showed that the banking and Fintech sectors accounted for the highest number of complaints nationwide, over 3,000 cases in banking alone, with about N10 billion recovered for customers across 30 sectors,” the statement said.

The findings highlighted recurring issues, such as failed transactions, unauthorised deductions, and delayed refunds, all of which the CBN draft guidelines seek to address.

FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tunji Bello, described the proposal as a timely and long-awaited correction to a persistent consumer challenge.

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He noted that even at the draft stage, it demonstrates stronger alignment between regulatory agencies committed to consumer protection.

“It is consistent with what the FCCPC has been advocating, given the number of complaints we receive about failed transactions. We commend the CBN for this decisive step, which will ease the burden on consumers and rebuild trust in financial services,” Bello said.

The commission stated that the proposed directive was consistent with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, particularly Sections 17(g), (h), (l), (s), and (t). These sections mandate the elimination of unfair practices, the promotion of fair dealings, the resolution of consumer complaints, the protection of consumer interests across all sectors, and the adoption of measures to ensure that goods and services are safe for their intended use.

“The commission advocates the prompt adoption and implementation of the proposed directive, as its early enforcement would provide immediate relief to consumers who continue to experience delayed or unresolved electronic transaction reversals. Timely adoption would also reinforce accountability within the banking sector and demonstrate a shared regulatory commitment to fairness, efficiency, and consumer confidence.

“To make the policy effective, the FCCPC will work with the CBN to establish systems for monitoring compliance and ensuring timely redress when banks fail to meet the 48-hour deadline. The commission maintains that closer collaboration among regulators will lead to faster resolutions, prevent recurrence, and strengthen consumer confidence in Nigeria’s growing digital economy,” Bello added.

The statement explained that under the proposed directive, consumers with unresolved ATM or electronic transaction issues would first be required to report to their banks or the CBN. If the issues remain unresolved, the customers would escalate their complaints to the FCCPC through the Complaint Portal (complaints.fccpc.gov.ng), by email (contact@fccpc.gov.ng), or by calling 08056002020.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Tuesday organised a sensitisation campaign in Kano to raise awareness about the dangers of consuming chemically ripened fruits, adulterated meat, and contaminated grains.

The workshop, held at Gidauniya Hall of the Kano Foundation, focused on promoting food quality standards, safety regulations, and fair business practices in the food sector.

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Olatunji Bello, described access to safe, nutritious, and unadulterated food as a vital pillar of public health, economic growth, and national security.

Bello, represented by the Director of Quality Assurance and Development, Dr. Nkechi Mba, noted that ensuring food safety is a shared responsibility involving regulators, manufacturers, and consumers alike.

He expressed concern over the growing trend of harmful food practices, particularly the forceful ripening of fruits with dangerous chemicals such as calcium carbide, which contains toxic traces of arsenic and phosphorus.

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The campaign forms part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to safeguard consumer health and ensure compliance with food safety standards across the country.

“Adulteration of food products with dangerous additives and preservative chemicals such as bromate, Sudan red colorant, sniper and formalin.

“Improper handling and contamination across the food value chain, from farm to table such as poor storage conditions, unhygienic environment, poor waste disposal, exposure of food stuffs to flies, insects and rodents etc.

“These practices not only endanger the lives of millions of Nigerians, but they also erode consumer trust and sabotage the integrity of our food systems.

“The FCCPC, as the apex consumer protection body in Nigeria, has the statutory mandate to promote consumer interests, ensure fair market practices, and prevent exploitative or dangerous conduct in all sectors of the economy including the food and agricultural sector,” Bello stated.

The Director, Consumer and Business Education, Yahaya Garba Kudan, said the food industry-forced ripening of fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat, and grains were issues that affect, not only people’s health and well-being but also the integrity of the nation’s food supply chain.

“It is disturbing to note the increasing incidences of harmful practices in food production and processing. These practices not only pose significant health risks but also undermine consumer trust in the food industry,” Kudan said.

He noted that FCCPC was committed to protecting consumers and ensuring that they have access to safe and high-quality food, and the programme was a testament to the commission’s dedication to educating and empowering consumers, farmers, vendors, and all stakeholders involved in the food supply chain.

The programme featured experts who shared insights on how to identify and prevent the harmful practices.

“To all stakeholders present: farmers, food processors, vendors, and business owners, you are critical to the nation’s food security and health, as they say, “you are what you eat.

“Therefore, you all have the responsibility and duty of care to the public as every product you put on the shelves for consumers affects a family or a community positively or negatively. Abstain from the use of harmful substances in food processing,” the director told the participants.

The commission said it was collaborating with relevant agencies, such as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOSW), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and State and Local Government Health and Agriculture authorities to improve compliance with food safety laws and consumer rights.