The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening consumer protection across Nigeria through closer institutional collaboration.
According to Punch Newspapers, the agreement was signed in Abuja as part of efforts to decentralise consumer protection enforcement and bring faster responses to complaints at the state level.
Speaking at the event, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello noted that many consumer issues occur within communities and require quick, localised intervention, making state agencies critical partners in effective regulation.
The MoU establishes a framework for:
Information sharing between federal and state agencies
Referral and joint handling of consumer complaints
Consumer education and awareness campaigns
Capacity building and intelligence exchange
Coordinated enforcement actions where necessary
Officials emphasised that consumer protection now cuts across multiple sectors, including housing, transportation, healthcare, digital services, finance, and e-commerce, making coordination more important than ever.
LASCOPA General Manager Afolabi Solebo described the partnership as long overdue, stressing that effective consumer protection requires collaboration rather than isolated efforts between regulatory bodies.
He revealed that the Lagos agency has already recovered over ₦40 million and $10,000 for consumers, particularly in disputes involving airlines, highlighting the impact of stronger enforcement.
The agreement is expected to deliver faster complaint resolution, clearer redress pathways, improved awareness of consumer rights, and stronger market accountability across Nigeria.
Authorities also called on other states to establish or strengthen their own consumer protection agencies, noting that a coordinated national system would boost trust in Nigeria’s markets and protect citizens from exploitation.