The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have signed a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration and accelerating the resolution of consumer complaints in Nigeria.
The agreement was signed by Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the FCCPC, and Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, during a ceremony attended by stakeholders and the media.
The renewed partnership is designed to improve coordination between both agencies in handling complaints related to food, drugs, chemicals, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, and detergents.
Under the terms of the MoU, both institutions agreed to notify each other, where necessary, about investigations involving product safety and quality issues at least 10 working days before the commencement of such investigations.
The agreement also provides for joint coordination of investigations to improve efficiency, optimise resources, and avoid duplication of efforts.
However, the MoU clarified that both agencies still retain the right to carry out independent investigations in line with their statutory mandates.
In cases of disagreement between the agencies, disputes will be resolved through consultations between the chief executives of both institutions, with their decisions binding on all parties involved.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Tunji Bello said the partnership would strengthen consumer protection and regulatory enforcement across critical sectors.
According to him, harmful or substandard products are not only public health concerns under NAFDAC’s jurisdiction but also consumer protection issues that fall within the FCCPC’s mandate.
“A harmful product in the market is both a public health issue and a consumer rights issue. The same applies to false advertising of regulated products, which often requires collaboration between both agencies,” Bello said.
He noted that the new MoU creates a more practical and effective framework for cooperation, which would benefit both consumers and businesses.
“For consumers, this means easier channels for complaints, quicker resolution of issues, and stronger enforcement when standards are violated,” he added.
Bello also advised businesses to prioritise compliance, noting that a more coordinated regulatory system would make enforcement more predictable and consistent.
On her part, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said consumer protection standards in Nigeria must align with global best practices.
She described the renewed agreement as critical to protecting Nigerians from unsafe products and unethical business practices.
“Consumers should never be taken for granted. This MoU is extremely important because it strengthens our collective responsibility to protect them,” she said.
Adeyeye revealed that several grey areas from the previous agreement had now been clarified, adding that complaints from consumers would receive faster attention under the new framework.
The renewed pact builds on an earlier MoU signed by both agencies in 2022 to improve cooperation on consumer protection and regulatory enforcement.
The latest move comes amid increased regulatory collaboration in Nigeria. In March, NAFDAC partnered with the FCCPC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enforce the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages in bottles below 200 millilitres as part of efforts to safeguard public health and curb underage drinking.
