FCCPC’s mandate focuses on consumer rights, not price control – Official

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has sought to clarify its role as a regulatory agency focused on overseeing competition and consumer protection, emphasising that it is not a Price Control Board.

It said its mandate is to champion the rights of consumers of goods and services in Nigeria.

The FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, made the statement at the 2025 World Consumer Rights Day celebration on Wednesday, in Abuja.

His comments come amidst a recent judgment by a federal high court in Abuja that prohibited the commission from joining a lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery seeking to stop the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and oil marketers from importing refined petroleum products into the country.

Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the commission’s application while delivering a ruling in the suit, stating that the dispute could be effectively determined without the inclusion of the FCCPC.

Speaking in his address, Bello noted there has been a misconception among some members of the public who expect the FCCPC to act as a Price Control Board, insisting that the commission had no such mandate.

He said, “Permit me to respond to a very concerning trend briefly. This is what I consider to be a misconception of the role of the FCCPC in some quarters.  I observe this tendency among some of our commentators in the media space who misunderstand the provisions of the law and inadvertently mislead the public.

“To be sure, Sections 17 and 18 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 expressly vest the Commission with the statutory authority to regulate competition and consumer protection across all sectors in our national life, which is consistent with global best practices.

“This notion was, in fact, recently affirmed by the court of competent jurisdiction. In other words, the law charges the FCCPC to champion the rights of consumers of goods and services in Nigeria.

“It is, therefore, very disturbing to hear or read parochial arguments of those who, out of ignorance of the law, seek to erect walls of sophistry against FCCPC in its discharge of this clear mandate. The Commission has never claimed or pretended to be a price control board. Rather, we get involved when the rights of consumers are breached or when the market is being manipulated in a manner that impedes fair competition.

Giving practical examples, the executive vice chairman said the commission can intervene in the aviation sector if an airline fails to deliver the service paid for without recourse to the technical issues in the sector.

“For instance, when you book a flight, you pay for a service. Assuming the affected airline fails to deliver the service paid for and you file a complaint with us, we are mandated by the law to champion your cause. Our inquiry under the circumstances has nothing to do with technical issues in the aviation section, but purely consumer issues.

“Also, when the case of a substandard product is reported, there is of course consumer issue involved. Our intervention in the circumstances is not inquiring into the pharmaceutical composition of the drug at issue, but the right of the patient who gave out his or her hard-earned money in expectation of a remedy. Similarly, when consumers are being exploited by providers of services, it is our responsibility to intervene.”

He said that the celebration was an opportunity for the FCCPC officials to rededicate themselves to championing the interests of the Nigerian Consumers.

He said the theme for this year’s celebration, “A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles,” was apt considering the existential challenges facing humanity worldwide at the moment.

He explained that most countries still contend with the inflationary trend, which has been traced to economic disruption, worsening the plight of consumers of goods and services.

According to him, “Against this backdrop, it is therefore a matter of necessity that we rethink our choices and fashion new coping strategies to adapt to new realities.

“Looking ahead, the world is undoubtedly moving towards a greener, more sustainable way of living. The overarching challenge is ensuring that no one is left behind. Sustainability should not be a privilege for a few but a right for all.

“A just transition means making sustainable products and services affordable, accessible, and fair to consumers while ensuring that businesses and industries uphold responsible practices.”