FCCPC for championing consumers right not price control — Bello

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has clarified misconceptions about the commission’s role in society.

The clarification was made by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Tunji Bello, while speaking at a seminar in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Consumer Day.

According to Bello, the commission has the statutory authority to regulate competition and consumer protection across all sectors in our national life, consistent with global best practices.

Bello reiterated that the FCCPC intervenes when consumer rights are breached or when market manipulation impedes fair competition.

He further clarified that the commission is not a price control agency but a consumer right protector.

He said:

“Permit me to briefly respond to a very concerning trend, which is the misconception of the FCCPC’s role. Some commentators in the media space misunderstand the provisions of the law and inadvertently mislead the public.

“To be sure, Sections 17 and 18 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 expressly vest the Commission with the statutory authority to regulate competition and consumer protection across all sectors in our national life, consistent with global best practices.

“This notion was recently affirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction. The FCCPC is charged with championing the rights of consumers of goods and services in Nigeria. It is, therefore, disturbing to hear parochial arguments from those who, out of ignorance of the law, seek to undermine the Commission’s mandate. The FCCPC has never claimed to be a price control board.

“For instance, when a consumer books a flight and the airline fails to deliver the paid service, our intervention is based on consumer rights, not technical aviation issues. Similarly, when a substandard product is reported, we do not investigate its pharmaceutical composition but the rights of the consumer who paid for it in expectation of a remedy.

“When consumers are exploited by service providers, it is our responsibility to intervene. The Commission’s single commitment remains the pursuit of public interest.” [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>