By Adeleke Adelakun and Adesola Zainab
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Osun State Office, has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies to promote consumer protection, improve product quality standards and support Nigeria’s industrialization agenda.
The message was delivered during a sensitization and advocacy visit to the Osun State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in Osogbo.
Welcoming the FCCPC delegation, the Osun State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mr. Adeyemi Saheed A., described the engagement as a valuable initiative that aligns with the Council’s mandate of promoting local raw materials development, value addition and industrial growth. He noted that consumer awareness and quality assurance are essential for building confidence in locally manufactured products and enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian industries.
Mr. Adeyemi added that the sensitization would help strengthen the relationship between RMRDC and FCCPC while creating greater awareness among staff on the importance of maintaining standards, protecting consumers and encouraging responsible production practices that support sustainable industrial development.
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Leading the FCCPC team, Mrs. Susan, Team Leader, explained the Commission’s mandate under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018. She stated that the FCCPC protects consumers against unfair business practices, investigates complaints, mediates disputes and facilitates refunds or replacements where necessary.
Mrs. Blessing Rufai, Consumer and Business Education Officer, highlighted key consumer rights, including the rights to safety, quality goods and services, accurate information, choice, redress and to be heard. She advised consumers to keep receipts, invoices and warranty documents as evidence when making complaints.
Mr. Ajayi Olawadamiloye of the Surveillance and Investigation Department said the unit monitors business activities, conducts inspections and recommends sanctions against non-compliant firms, while Engr. Obinna Stanley of the Quality Control Department encouraged consumers to report substandard, expired, counterfeit or defective products for prompt action.
The FCCPC team also presented practical case studies that demonstrated the effectiveness of the Commission’s intervention mechanisms. One of the cases involved the successful recovery of funds lost in a land transaction through mediation and dispute resolution. The officials explained that such interventions not only provide relief to affected consumers but also strengthen public confidence in regulatory institutions, promote accountability among service providers and businesses, and encourage adherence to fair commercial practices that support a stable and trustworthy marketplace.
At the end of the engagement, both agencies expressed optimism that the collaboration would yield long-term benefits through stronger institutional synergy, improved consumer awareness, enhanced product quality standards and increased public confidence in locally manufactured goods. They noted that the sensitization would support RMRDC’s mandate of promoting value addition and industrial development by encouraging industries to maintain higher standards while ensuring that consumers are better informed and protected.
The meeting also laid the foundation for future joint sensitization programmes and technical cooperation aimed at fostering transparency, accountability, and sustainable industrial growth in Osun State and Nigeria at large.
