NAFDAC, FCCPC, Rite Foods advocate stronger consumer protection framework

From left: Founder, Consumer Advocacy foundation of Nigeria(CAFON), Sola Salako-Ajulo; General Manager, Operations, Rite Foods, Awofemi Ajileye; Deputy Director, Focal Point for Alcohol Nationwide, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control( NAFDAC), Dr Tinuola Akinnubi; Chairman, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria(BJAN),Daniel Obi, and Zonal Coordinator, South West Office, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC, Dr Olubunmi Oti, at the 2026 BJAN World Consumer Rights Day event at Rite Foods Factory in Ososa, Ogun State Friday

Stanley Ihedigbo

Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s consumer protection ecosystem have called for stronger collaboration among regulators, industry players, and the media to ensure safer products and greater consumer confidence in the marketplace.

The call was made during a stakeholder engagement organised by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) and sponsored by Rite Foods Limited to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Director and Focal Point for Alcohol Nationwide at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Tinuola Akinnubi, emphasised that consumer protection requires collective action from regulators, manufacturers, the media, and consumers themselves.

Akinnubi noted that consumers are central stakeholders in the marketplace whose safety, dignity, and economic rights must be protected at all times.

She explained that NAFDAC has intensified Good Manufacturing Practice inspections across the food and pharmaceutical sectors to ensure safe production processes, reduce contamination risks, and promote environmentally responsible manufacturing.

According to her, the agency has also strengthened post-market surveillance and product recall mechanisms to ensure that unsafe or unregistered products are quickly detected and removed from circulation while consumers are properly informed.

Akinnubi stressed that sustainable consumer protection requires science-driven regulation, responsible industry practices, and an informed public capable of making safe purchasing decisions.

Also speaking, the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Dr. Olubunmi Oti, highlighted the importance of building trust in Nigeria’s marketplace through stronger regulatory oversight and corporate compliance.

Oti said consumer protection awareness programmes provide opportunities to reflect on the need to ensure that consumers are well informed and adequately protected.

She explained that visits to production facilities help stakeholders understand how safety standards, quality control measures, and regulatory procedures are applied before products reach consumers.

According to her, the FCCPC, established under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, is mandated to protect consumers from unfair practices while promoting responsible conduct among businesses.

Oti noted that businesses should view regulatory compliance not merely as an obligation but as an investment in consumer trust and long-term brand credibility.

She also encouraged consumers to pay attention to product labels, safety instructions, and other critical information before making purchasing decisions.

On the industry side, the General Manager, Operations at Rite Foods Limited, Mr. Awofemi Ajileye, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to producing high-quality products that meet international standards.

Ajileye said the company operates strict production and quality control processes to ensure its products can compete favourably with similar brands globally.

He explained that Rite Foods maintains globally recognised certifications and operates a rigorous quality assurance system that includes careful supplier selection, laboratory testing, and batch-by-batch inspection before products are released into the market.

According to him, these measures are necessary to guarantee consumer safety and maintain the company’s reputation for quality and reliability.

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, Mr. Daniel Obi, said consumers remain the backbone of every economy and must be protected through responsible business practices, effective regulation, and accurate media reporting.

Obi noted that brand journalists play a crucial role in bridging the gap between businesses and the consuming public by informing, educating, and sometimes interrogating corporate practices to ensure transparency and value for consumers.

He commended key regulatory agencies, including FCCPC and NAFDAC, for their efforts in strengthening Nigeria’s consumer protection framework.

Obi also appreciated Rite Foods Limited for supporting the event and demonstrating corporate responsibility in promoting consumer awareness.

Providing a broader perspective on the future of consumer protection in Nigeria, consumer rights advocate Sola Salako Ajulo said the country has made significant progress in strengthening its consumer protection framework, but still faces major challenges.

In a policy article titled “Rethinking Consumer Protection in Nigeria: Understanding the Challenges, Progress, and Strategic Pathways for Nigerian Consumers in 2026,” Ajulo highlighted persistent issues such as rising cost of living, poor service delivery in essential sectors, low consumer awareness, and emerging digital risks.

Ajulo, founder of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, acknowledged that the enactment of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act in 2018 significantly strengthened consumer protection through the establishment of the FCCPC and the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal.

However, she noted that the next phase of consumer protection must focus on preventive measures that reshape market behaviour, strengthen digital and data protection, improve consumer awareness, and promote corporate accountability.

She also called for the establishment of a national consumer advice system, stronger inter-agency coordination, and the integration of consumer protection considerations into Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Participants at the forum agreed that building a stronger consumer protection system in Nigeria requires sustained cooperation among regulators, businesses, civil society, and the media to ensure a fair, transparent, and accountable marketplace.