Tunji Bello affirms the authority of FCCPC to regulate competition, consumer protection in all sectors

The Executive Vice President/Executive Director of the Federal Commission for Competition and Consumer Protection (FCCPC), Mr. Tunji Bello, said on Wednesday sections 17 and 18 of the Federal Law on Competition and Consumer Protection (FCCPA) 2018 expressly grants the legal authority of the Commission to regulate competition and consumer protection in all sectors in line with global best practices.

He said that the law also requires the commission that promotes and protects the interests and well -being of consumers by guaranteeing fair competition and ethical commercial practices, including the guarantee of affordability and accessibility.

Speaking in a seminar to commemorate World Consumer Day of 2025 with the subject, “a fair transition to a sustainable lifestyles” that was organized by the commission in Abuja, Bello explained that sustainable options should not be expensive or difficult to access, and should be available to all consumers.

He stressed that the FCCPC was legally empowered to intervene in the economy sectors to address consumer rights problems.

Its clarification occurred in the context of erroneous concepts of the role of FCCPC in some sectors.

Bello said: “I observe this trend among some of our commentators in the space of the media that misunderstand the provisions of the law and inadvertently deceive the public.

“Without a doubt, sections 17 and 18 of the Federal Consumer Competition and Protection Law (FCCPA) 2018 expressly grant the Commission with the legal authority to regulate competence and consumer protection in all sectors of our national life, which are the best global practices consistent.

“This notion was, in fact, recently affirmed by the competent jurisdiction court. In a word, the law charges the FCCPC to defend the rights of consumers of goods and services in Nigeria.”

He added: “Therefore, it is very disturbing to hear or read parochial arguments of those who, by ignorance of the law, seek to erect sophistry walls against FCCPC in their discharge of this clear mandate.

“The commission has never affirmed or pretended to be a price control board. Rather, we get involved when consumer rights are violated or when the market is manipulated in a way that prevents fair competition.

“For example, when reserving a flight that is paying for a service. Assuming that the affected airline does not deliver the paid service and you have a complaint with us, the law requires us to defend its cause.

“Our research under the circumstances has nothing to do with the technical problems in the aviation section, but the problems purely of consumers.”

Continuing, he said: “In addition, when the case of a lower quality product is reported, of course, there is a consumer problem involved.

“Our intervention in circumstances is not investigating the pharmaceutical composition of the drug in question, but the right of the patient who gave his money earned so much effort with the expectation of a remedy.

“In the same way, when consumers are being exploited by service providers, it is our responsibility to intervene.”

However, he clarified even more in all his actions, that the commission was guided by the commitment to pursue public interest.

Recognizing that the commission cannot promote the promotion Solo, Bello urged all the true patriots to join the crusade to protect consumers and make the market fair and safe in Nigeria.

However, he said that the notion of achieving a fair transition to sustainable lifestyles implies the provision of precise information and raising awareness about the impact of their elections, so that consumers can make informed decisions.

According to him, the notion also emphasizes the responsibility of the responsible companies and guarantees that the industries comply with the environmental and ethical standards while avoiding the deceptive commercialization of the so -called “green” products.

He said that this year’s issue could not be more appropriate taking into account the existential challenges that humanity face worldwide at this time.

Bello said: “In fact, most countries are holding with inflationary trends that date back to the economic interruption caused by COVID 19 of 2020.

“Unfortunately, just before the pains that could heal the Russian-Ukrainian war that brought a new interruption to the global food supply chain came, thus worsening the difficult situation of consumers of goods and services.

“In this context, it is, therefore, a matter of need to rethink our elections and the new coping strategy to adapt to new realities.”

He said: “Looking towards the future, the world is undoubtedly moving towards a greener and sustainable way of life.

“The general challenge is to ensure that no one is left behind.

“Sustainability should not be a privilege for some, but a right to all. As we celebrate World Consumer Day of 2025, for us in the FCCPC, it is an opportunity to delegate us to defend the interests of Nigerian consumers.”

James Emunce

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