Nigeria’s consumer protection landscape received a major boost on Wednesday as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at tackling unsafe products and unfair market practices.
The agreement, signed in Abuja, is expected to strengthen collaboration between both agencies in areas such as product safety, enforcement of standards, consumer rights, and coordinated investigations.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the FCCPC headquarters, the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Tunji Bello, described the pact as a deliberate move to improve regulation in Nigeria’s consumer market.
According to Bello, the responsibilities of both agencies increasingly overlap, especially in cases involving substandard goods, unsafe pharmaceuticals, deceptive advertising, and misleading product claims.
He explained that while the FCCPC focuses on protecting consumers from unfair and exploitative practices, NAFDAC regulates the safety and quality of products such as food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and chemicals.
Bello noted that harmful products in the market are not only public health concerns under NAFDAC’s jurisdiction but also consumer protection issues that require FCCPC intervention.
He added that the new framework would create a structured system for data sharing, joint investigations, coordinated enforcement actions, and capacity building between both agencies.
The FCCPC boss said the agreement would also simplify complaint handling for consumers by ensuring that complaints received by either agency are properly channelled for prompt resolution.
“Rather than leaving consumers to decide which agency to approach, complaints can now be received and reviewed in one place, and then directed through clearly defined channels,” Bello said.
He stressed that stronger collaboration would improve market confidence and deter businesses attempting to bypass regulations.
“This will send shivers down the spine of those who are mischievous in our society. The message is clear: enforcement will be stronger and more coordinated,” he added.
On her part, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, described the agreement as a critical step toward protecting Nigerians from harmful products.
Adeyeye said the partnership must go beyond documentation and deliver practical results for consumers.
She noted that FCCPC had previously responded swiftly to complaints she raised as a consumer, leading to immediate corrective action by businesses involved.
According to her, NAFDAC’s responsibility for product safety complements FCCPC’s role in protecting consumer rights.
“Consumers have the right to complain, and we must ensure those complaints lead to action,” she said.
Adeyeye added that the partnership would strengthen enforcement measures against violators while also improving public awareness through joint communication efforts.
The MoU comes at a time when Nigeria continues to battle the spread of fake drugs, substandard products, and deceptive advertising practices that threaten public health and weaken consumer confidence.
Stakeholders believe the success of the agreement will depend on consistent implementation, stronger enforcement, and sustained cooperation between both regulatory agencies.
