By Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has signed an agreement with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to ensure faster consumer complaints resolution and stronger enforcement in the marketplace.
At the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, the Executive Vice-Chairman of FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the agreement aims to address how consumer complaints would be handled rather than leaving consumers to decide which agency to approach.
Bello, in a statement issued by the Commission, was quoted as noting that the two agencies’ work often converged, adding that this synergy would also allow complaints to be received and reviewed in one place, and directed through clearly defined channels.
According to him, a designated liaison team would support the system, helping both agencies coordinate their responses effectively, while reducing confusion for the consumers.
He added that the MoU would outline how information would be shared, ensuring that both organisations had timely access to data needed for investigations, policy development, and enforcement.
Bello said that the agreement would also support institutional capacity through shared training, technical collaboration, and continuous exchange of expertise.
“For businesses, expectations are equally clear, compliance remains essential and the most coordinated regulatory approach will make enforcement more predictable and consistent.
“Effective regulation is not just enforcement, it builds confidence. Where consumers trust that products are safe and their rights are protected, markets function more efficiently.
“When businesses operate within clear and consistent rules, confusion is threatened. The collaboration is designed to support both outcomes,” he said.
For businesses, expectations are equally clear, compliance remains essential and the most coordinated regulatory approach will make enforcement more predictable and consistent.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the MoU was extremely important for the country’s market.
Adeyeye said that effective consumer complaints would make the agency work efficiently.
She said that the MoU was a renewal of the old one, adding that a lot of things had been made clearer in the new version.
The director-general commended the leadership of FCCPC for their role in ensuring consumer protection.
“MoU is very good, but you can sign a variety of MoU, pack it and put it on the shelf. When actions are not taken, it becomes just theory; we do not need theory when it comes to consumer protection.
“For the people that are watching us, just know that you are on our mind. In terms of product quality, safety, and efficacy; in terms of your rights as a consumer to complain, we are watching your back,” Adeyeye said.
