List of consumer protection laws in Nigeria

According to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), A consumer is any person who purchases goods other than for resale, or a person to whom a service is rendered. Consumer protection laws are rules put in place to protect the interest of consumers. These laws protect consumers from bad products and deceptive and fraudulent business practices.

The FCCPC is the primary legislation that protects the rights and interests of consumers across different sectors. There are other consumer protection agencies in Nigeria. Consumer protection is a joint effort of these agencies and they have statutory responsibilities to protect the interest of consumers in different sectors

The FCCPC applies and binds to all persons or corporate bodies involved in the production or provision of trade, goods, or services. Below is a list of consumer protection laws in Nigeria.

 

List of consumer protection laws in Nigeria

 

Consumer protection in Nigeria is a joint responsibility of different organizations. This is to ensure complete coverage of protection across all sectors of the economy. The FCCPC, also known as the commission oversees and regulates other bodies.  Other legislative bodies with statutory responsibilities to protect consumers are;

 

Central Bank of Nigeria Act

This is the general framework that guides the operation of the Central Bank of Nigeria. CBN, together with the FCCPC has the alliance to ensure and protect the interest of consumers in the financial sectors, they do a routine check-ups to address consumer complaints and resolve them. The memorandum of understanding between the CBN and the commission addresses the different issues in the industry.

• The Central Bank of Nigeria ensures and maintains the effective regulation of consumer protection practices of financial institutions.
• FCCPA and CBN collaborate to prevent exploitation and maintain consumer satisfaction.

 

Nigeria Communication Act

The National Communication Act is the general statute that regulates telecommunication services in Nigeria. The NC Act created the National Communication Commission and vested it with the power to regulate the telecom industry, protect consumers against unfair practices, provide the standard of quality of service and address consumer complaints. The Act was enacted specifically to;

• Provide a framework that regulates the Nigerian communications industry and promotes accessible, efficient, and reliable communications services
• Ensure proper management and use of resources in the communications subsector. This includes efficient planning, allocation, assignment, and registration of resources.
• Protect the rights and interests of service consumers and providers in Nigeria
• Ensure fair competition, and encourage local and foreign investment.

 

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control Act

The current NAFDAC 2004 Act mandates the organization to ensure the protection of consumers by regulating and controlling the processes involved in the production and distribution of regulated products.

Some of its functions as provided by the law are;

• Regulate and control importation and exportation, production, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, bottled water, medical devices, chemicals, and detergents
• Ensure compliance with standard specifications as approved by the council, and conduct appropriate test
• Conduct appropriate investigations into the procession and production of raw materials and production sites to establish relevant quality assurance systems.
• Undertake the registration of regulated products

 

 

Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)

The NERC is empowered by the Electric Power Sector Reform Act. The Act enables NERC to ensure fair charges of electric distribution, and reliable and quality distribution of electricity to consumers. To ensure the delivery of quality service, they should do the following;

• Ensure the supply of electricity in a safe and reliable manner
• Properly inform and educate consumers on electric service
• Have a transparent billing system
• Un-metered consumers should be with electricity bills according to NERC’S estimated billing technology
• Consumers should be notified in writing ahead of disconnection of electricity service
• Consumers have a right to a refund when overbilled

 

 

Standard organization of Nigeria

The SON Act was amended in 2015. It was established to address the loopholes in the 2004 SON Act. It provided additional functions to ensure the efficiency of the organizations and related matters. Also empowered the organization and created stringent penalties for offenses. Some of the functions are;

• It is vested with the power and responsibility of evaluating quality assurance activities, vetting systems, products, and laboratories in Nigeria
• Establish and maintain an import and export surveillance of products
• Ensure that all products imported and exported meet quality standards

 

Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC)

The NBC was established by the NBC Act, in 2004. it has the responsibility of protecting the rights of consumers of broadcasting services. As part of its regulatory role, it is vested with the power to investigate complaints of consumers and oversees content being aired concerning consumers’ feedback. NBC was established to perform the following;

• Regulate and control the broadcasting industry
• Establishing a national broadcasting code and set standards concerning the quality of content in broadcasting
• Promoting Nigerian indigenous culture, morals, and community lifestyle through broadcasting
• Receiving and investigating complaints from individuals and bodies regarding the contents of a broadcasting station

 

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority

NCAA is empowered by the NCAA Act. The NCAA controls and regulates aviation affairs in Nigeria. They undertake a wide range of services to ensure the safety and efficiency of services to the general public. This includes compensating individuals for delayed and denied flights and cancellation of flights. Functions of the NCAA are;

• Regulate and ensure the safety of aircraft operations
• Monitor operating environment of Aircrafts
• Regulate entry method and conduct of air transport
• Set aviation training standards

 

Reasons for Consumer Protection in Nigeria

• To ensure that consumers have the right information to make choices that are best for them
• Make sure providers of goods and services maintain safety and quality standards
• Promote the economy and facilitate innovation
• Promote fair trade competition
• Ensure consumers get value for money spent on goods and services

 

The FCCPC provides various ways by which service regulators can enforce consumer laws. if there is a breach of consumer protection laws, investigations can be triggered by individuals, sector regulators, accredited consumer protection groups, and FCCPC. it is worthy to note that in matters relating to consumer protection, the provisions of the FCCPA override any other law.