The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) have urged businesses to comply with consumer protection regulations on price display, product labelling, and return and refund policies, warning that violations could attract regulatory sanctions.
The call was made during a stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos themed “Price Tagging, Minimum Labelling Requirements and Return/Refund Policy: The Implications of Non-Regulatory Compliance.” The event was held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) building in Ikeja.
Speaking at the event, Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, said consumer confidence remains the foundation of a healthy marketplace.
Represented by Olubumi Otti, Commission’s South-West Coordinator, Bello noted that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub, records millions of transactions daily across traditional markets, supermarkets, shopping malls, neighbourhood stores and online platforms.
According to him, those transactions can only thrive when consumers trust that they are being treated fairly. “Consumers must be confident that the price they see is the price they will pay. They must be able to rely on the information provided about the products they buy. They must also know that where the law gives them the right to a refund, replacement or repair, that right will be respected,” he said.
He added that transparent pricing, proper product information, and effective consumer redress mechanisms encourage spending, strengthen customer loyalty, and promote fair competition.
Bello explained that the engagement was designed not only to remind businesses of their legal responsibilities but also to promote a better understanding of why compliance benefits both consumers and businesses.
He said the FCCPC favours dialogue and stakeholder engagement over enforcement whenever possible, stressing that businesses are more likely to comply when regulations are clearly explained.
“We expect businesses to deal with consumers honestly and transparently. These expectations are recognised and protected by law,” he said, adding that the Commission continues to receive complaints from consumers about avoidable marketplace practices.
He emphasised that displaying prices is a fundamental requirement of fairness. “A consumer should know what an item costs before deciding whether to buy it. No one should have to take a product to the checkout before learning its price. Neither should two customers be quoted different prices for the same product simply because a seller believes one can afford to pay more than the other.”
Bello said effective consumer protection requires collaboration among regulators, businesses, trade associations and consumer groups, noting that the partnership between FCCPC and LASCOPA reflects a shared commitment to creating a fair, transparent and predictable business environment.
Earlier, Afolabi Sholebo, the General Manager of LASCOPA, described the engagement as an opportunity to balance enforcement with education, while encouraging sustainable business practices.
According to him, regulatory agencies across Nigeria have intensified enforcement against unfair trade practices, including failure to display prices, sale of expired products, misleading product labelling and refusal to honour legitimate return and refund requests.
He stressed that compliance with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Law 2025 (as amended) is mandatory, describing responsible business practices as essential for consumer trust and long-term business growth.
Also speaking at the event, Engineer Lawal Ismaila of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) advised consumers to avoid buying products that are not properly labelled in English or do not carry the appropriate certification marks.
He said locally manufactured products should display the SONCAP certification logo where applicable, noting that proper labelling helps protect consumer safety, ensures regulatory compliance and enables buyers to make informed purchasing decisions.
The stakeholders’ engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by the FCCPC and LASCOPA to improve compliance with consumer protection laws, strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s retail market and promote fair business practices.
