Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s consumer protection space have renewed calls for stronger collaboration, stricter regulatory enforcement, and increased use of technology to safeguard consumer rights, as industry leaders, regulators, and advocates converged to mark the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day.
The engagement brought together representatives of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, Rite Foods Limited, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, with discussions centred on product safety, consumer confidence, and accountability across Nigeria’s markets.
Participants stressed that consumer protection must go beyond policy declarations, noting that rising product diversity, digital platforms, and evolving manufacturing processes have increased the need for vigilance, transparency, and shared responsibility among regulators, manufacturers, and consumer advocates.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the Chairman of BJAN, Daniel Obi, described the gathering as a deliberate effort to refocus national attention on consumer rights, particularly at a time when market practices are becoming more complex. He noted that the 2026 theme, Safe Product, Confident Consumer, underscores the need for industries to uphold ethical production standards while empowering consumers with accurate information.
Representing the leadership of the FCCPC, the Commission’s South West Zonal Coordinator, Olubunmi Oti, said hosting the engagement within a manufacturing environment reinforces transparency and accountability. She reminded businesses that consumer protection laws require companies to provide clear, truthful, and complete information about products, adding that regulators will continue to prioritise enforcement to protect public interest.
From the manufacturing perspective, Awofemi Ajileye, General Manager of Operations at Rite Foods, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to strict quality control and global best practices. He said sustained investment in staff training, laboratory testing, and quality assurance remains central to maintaining consumer trust and meeting regulatory expectations.
On regulatory oversight, Tinuola Akinnubi, Deputy Director and Focal Point for Alcohol Nationwide at NAFDAC, stated that consumer safety remains non-negotiable. She disclosed that the agency has intensified inspections, surveillance, and compliance monitoring to ensure that only safe and approved products reach the Nigerian market.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of 3C – CAFON Consumer Companion, described as Nigeria’s first free artificial intelligence-powered consumer rights guide. Founder of CAFON, Sola Salako-Ajulo, explained that the tool is designed to help consumers understand their rights, prepare complaints, and identify violations, especially in situations where individuals feel overwhelmed by corporate structures.
Stakeholders agreed that sustained cooperation between regulators, manufacturers, journalists, and advocacy groups is essential to building a transparent, responsive, and consumer-focused marketplace. They maintained that strengthening consumer confidence is critical to economic growth, brand credibility, and long-term market stability in Nigeria.
