- New Deal Targets Stronger Consumer Rights Enforcement Across Lagos
- Many consumer complaints are local in nature and require swift responses at the state level
- Bello stressed that the agreement is not just symbolic but designed to deliver practical outcomes
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency have formalised a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening consumer rights enforcement and promoting fair market practices in Lagos.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the agreement, signed in Abuja, is expected to improve how consumer complaints are handled while deepening collaboration between federal and state regulators.
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Speaking at the signing, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the partnership reflects the growing complexity of today’s marketplace, where consumer issues cut across multiple sectors such as transportation, finance, healthcare, digital services and e-commerce.
“Consumer issues today transcend jurisdictions and sectors. This reality demands regulators who are not only proactive but also collaborative,” he said.
Bello explained that although the FCCPC has intensified enforcement, market surveillance and consumer education under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, effective regulation cannot be driven solely from the federal level.
According to him, many consumer complaints are local in nature and require swift responses at the state level, making collaboration with agencies like LASCOPA essential.
He described Lagos as a critical focal point, given its status as Nigeria’s commercial hub with a high concentration of businesses, financial activities and digital platforms, all of which increase both opportunities and risks for consumers.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines key areas of cooperation, including intelligence sharing, joint enforcement actions, complaint referrals, consumer education campaigns, and capacity building.
Bello stressed that the agreement is not just symbolic but designed to deliver practical outcomes, such as faster complaint resolution and stronger consumer redress mechanisms.
On his part, the General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, said the agency has grown significantly since its establishment in 1999 and remains focused on ensuring consumers get value for money.
He also noted that recent judicial backing of FCCPC’s authority to investigate airline-related complaints has further strengthened cooperation between federal and state regulators.
Solebo added that the partnership would enhance their ability to protect consumers and tackle exploitative practices, including extortion, more effectively.
