The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a strong warning to businesses across Nigeria to immediately recall substandard products or face regulatory sanctions under existing consumer protection laws.
The directive was delivered by Tunji Bello, Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, during the commemoration of World Consumer Rights Day 2026 and the 9th National Consumers Contest Awards held in Abuja. Bello, who was represented by Boladale Adeyinka, Director of the FCCPC’s Surveillance and Investigation Department, said the agency continues to encounter widespread cases of unsafe and non-compliant products in the market.
He noted that many goods fail to meet basic safety and quality standards, with issues ranging from improper labelling to outright misrepresentation. According to him, while some of these lapses stem from weak internal controls and poor compliance culture, others suggest deliberate violations of regulatory obligations.
The Commission warned that such practices expose consumers to avoidable risks, erode trust in the marketplace, and create unfair competition for businesses that comply with the law. Bello stressed that under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, consumers are entitled to safe, durable, and fit-for-purpose goods, while manufacturers and distributors are legally required to meet these standards.
He emphasised that where a product poses a risk, businesses are mandated to take immediate corrective action, including withdrawal, recall, and proper notification to consumers. Failure to comply, he said, would attract enforcement actions, including litigation.
The FCCPC also clarified that while it does not regulate prices, fair pricing remains essential to a well-functioning market. It acknowledged the roles of other regulatory bodies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, in ensuring product quality and compliance.
The warning comes against the backdrop of previous enforcement actions by the Commission, including a 2025 raid on Abuja’s Utako Market, where several shops were sealed over the alleged re-bagging of locally produced rice as foreign brands.
The Commission reiterated that under Sections 125 and 138 of the FCCPA, businesses are prohibited from making false or misleading claims about products and can be held accountable for any breach of safety and quality obligations.
With this latest directive, the FCCPC signalled a tougher regulatory stance aimed at protecting consumers and sanitising Nigeria’s marketplace.
