•Decries misinterpretation of 2018 FCCP Act
By Chukwumah Umeroah
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has restated its commitment and preparedness to promote and defend the rights of consumers and ensure fair business practices.
The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, made the declaration at a one-day seminar to mark the 2025 World Consumer Day in Abuja yesterday.
He decried the misinterpretation of the 2018 FCCP Act by some self-styled commentators, saying the provisions of the FCCPA upon which the Commission acts, were being misinterpreted by some to project the agency 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,” he said.
Bello argued that Sections 17 and 18 of the FCCPA 2018 expressly vest the Commission with the statutory authority to regulate competition and consumer protection across all sectors of the country, which is consistent global best practices.
“This notion,” he said: “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.”
In his keynote address entitled, “A just transition to sustainable lifestyles: The Baobab’s Promise,” Professor Joe Abugu, SAN, canvassed an approach, which recognises that sustainable lifestyles must be culturally appropriate rather than imposed through standardised global models. He anchored his submission on the metaphor of the Baobab tree.
The panel of discussants included Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, President of National Industrial Court of Nigeria; Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor and Temilade Oluwalana.
The seminar attracted a large number of participants from advocacy bodies, government agencies and academia, with many others joining virtually.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the star prize for the eighth 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, while the third position went to Miss Oluwajobi Ewaogooluwa of St Theresa’s Catholic School, Bwuari, Abuja.
More than 600 entries were received by the FCCPC for this year’s essay competition.