FCCPC RAISES ALARM OVER RISE IN SUBSTANDARD PRODUCTS, WARNS OF ERODING CONSUMER TRUST
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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised concerns over the growing presence of unsafe and substandard products in Nigerian markets, warning that the trend is weakening consumer confidence and undermining economic stability.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Tunji Bello, sounded the warning on Wednesday in Abuja during the commemoration of the World Consumer Rights Day 2026 and the 9th National Consumers Contest Awards.
Represented by the FCCPC Director of Surveillance and Investigation, Bola Adeyinka, Bello said the increasing uncertainty around product safety is already affecting market behaviour.
“Where safety is uncertain, confidence declines. And where confidence declines, markets become weaker, less efficient, and less trustworthy,” he said, noting that the commission continues to encounter improperly labelled goods, unsafe products, and cases of misrepresentation across multiple sectors.
He attributed the trend to weak internal controls, poor compliance culture, and, in some cases, deliberate disregard for regulatory obligations by manufacturers and distributors.
Bello stressed that unsafe products expose consumers to avoidable risks, distort competition, and disadvantage law-abiding businesses, adding that product safety must be treated as a core obligation rather than an afterthought.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to enforcing compliance under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, warning that any product posing risks must be promptly withdrawn or recalled in line with the law.
The FCCPC, he said, has intensified market surveillance and strengthened product testing in key sectors, while also deepening collaboration with agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to close regulatory gaps.
Bello clarified that while the commission does not regulate prices, it remains committed to tackling unfair practices that undermine transparency and consumer welfare.
He urged manufacturers, importers, and service providers to prioritise product safety at every stage of production and distribution, warning that failure to comply would attract regulatory sanctions.
The FCCPC boss also called on consumers to remain vigilant by checking product labels, quality, and safety information, and reporting concerns when necessary.
He noted that strengthening consumer protection requires collaboration among regulators, businesses, and the public, adding that informed consumers play a crucial role in maintaining safe and reliable markets.
The renewed warning comes amid longstanding concerns over the influx of substandard and counterfeit goods in Nigeria, particularly in sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and household products.
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