The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned businesses that fail to attend consumer complaint mediation sessions that they risk sanctions, signalling a tougher approach to resolving disputes between service providers and their customers.
The agency’s position puts businesses operating in Lagos on notice that ignoring invitations to participate in mediation will not be treated lightly, particularly when consumers seek redress over complaints involving goods and services.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the warning reinforces the importance of businesses participating in the dispute resolution process when customers raise concerns about their transactions. For consumers, access to mediation offers an avenue to seek solutions when disagreements with businesses cannot be resolved directly.
The threat of sanctions also highlights the responsibility of businesses to respond to complaints rather than leave customers without answers. Failure to engage with the agency’s mediation process could complicate efforts to settle disputes and expose defaulting businesses to regulatory consequences.
Consumer protection remains an important issue in Lagos, where residents rely on businesses across retail, hospitality, telecommunications and other service sectors. When transactions go wrong, customers need accessible channels through which they can challenge unsatisfactory services, seek refunds or pursue other appropriate remedies.
LASCOPA’s warning underscores the need for businesses to take consumer complaints seriously and cooperate with the agency when invited to mediation.
However, the specific penalties for failing to attend the sessions, the number of businesses affected and the deadline for compliance were not provided in the available information.
