FCCPC and NAFDAC Sign New Partnership to Strengthen Consumer Protection in Nigeria

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have inked a partnership agreement to improve consumer experiences and ensure value for money.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed Wednesday at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Mr Tunji Bello, Executive Vice-Chairman of the FCCPC, described the partnership as a deliberate step toward strengthening collaboration in the interest of Nigerian consumers, particularly in areas where product safety and consumer protection intersect and require coordinated action.

He observed that, while both agencies' mandates are clearly defined by law, their functions are increasingly overlapping in practice.

"The FCCPC is committed to safeguarding consumers from unfair, fraudulent, or predatory market practices. It also fosters competition, examines complaints, and imposes remedies when consumer welfare has been harmed.

"NAFDAC, on the other hand, is more focused on certain products. It governs the production, importation, distribution, marketing, and use of food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and packaged water.

"Its primary focus is safety and quality, ensuring that regulated items fulfill required criteria before and after they reach the market.

"However, in practice, the work of both agencies sometimes overlap. Misleading product claims, poor goods, hazardous drugs, and deceptive advertising all create issues about product safety and consumer protection.

"For example, a dangerous product on the market is both a public health risk under NAFDAC's jurisdiction and a consumer protection issue for the FCCPC. The same is true for deceptive advertising of controlled products, which often requires input from both agencies. Given the overlap, the MoU establishes a practical basis for collaboration," he explained.

Mr Bello went on to clarify that the agreement includes methods for information exchange, ensuring that both agencies have prompt access to data needed for investigations, policy creation, and enforcement. It also creates a disciplined strategy to managing consumers complaint.

He noted that instead of leaving it up to consumers to decide which agency to contact, complaints may now be accepted through a unified system and routed through clearly defined channels.

"Designated liaison teams will support this process, enabling both agencies to coordinate responses more effectively while reducing confusion for the public," he stated.

He further stated that the MoU promotes institutional capacity through joint training, technical collaboration, and ongoing exchange of experience.

"The benefits to customers include clearer, easier complaint systems, faster issue resolution, and tougher enforcement when standards are not fulfilled.

"Business expectations are equally clear. Compliance remains critical, and a more integrated regulatory approach will improve enforcement predictability and consistency," he noted.

Mr Bello emphasized that good regulation goes beyond enforcement to foster trust.

"When customers are sure that their products are safe and that their rights are respected, markets run more efficiently. Similarly, when businesses adhere to clear and uniform regulations, competition is strengthened. "This collaboration is intended to achieve both outcomes," he stated.

He emphasized the FCCPC's commitment to collaborating with NAFDAC and other relevant institutions to safeguard consumers and foster fair, efficient markets, characterizing the agreement as a tangible step in that direction.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, described the MoU as a positive step forward. "We have had similar arrangements in the past, but this represents an improved version of the partnership," she replied.

She commended the FCCPC leadership for its commitment to protecting Nigerian consumers and reaffirmed NAFDAC’s dedication to fully implementing the provisions of the agreement.