CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCIL ACT

What Is This Policy?

This Act establishes the Consumer Protection Council to protect Nigerian consumers from hazardous products, fraudulent business practices, and unfair trade conduct, and to provide redress for consumer complaints.

Who Does It Target?

All Nigerian consumers purchasing goods and services in the marketplace Businesses and traders whose practices may harm consumer interests Consumer rights advocates and civil society organisations

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

To empower Nigerian consumers with enforceable rights, provide a formal channel for complaints and redress, and create market discipline by holding businesses accountable for unsafe products and unfair practices.

Key Features

Council Establishment: Creates the Consumer Protection Council with investigative, enforcement, and advisory powers over consumer matters Complaint Handling: Provides a formal mechanism for consumers to lodge complaints about defective products, poor services, or unfair practices Product Safety: Grants the Council authority to investigate and recall dangerous or defective products from the Nigerian market Unfair Trade Practices: Prohibits deceptive advertising, price gouging, and other unfair commercial practices that harm consumers Redress and Compensation: Empowers the Council to direct businesses to provide refunds, replacements, or compensation to affected consumers

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active; the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has since assumed many of the Council's functions Coverage: Nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: All Nigerian consumers Funding: Federal government appropriations

How to Access

Consumers who have experienced harm from defective products or unfair business practices may file a complaint. Written complaint describing the nature of the consumer harm and the business responsible Supporting evidence such as receipts, contracts, photographs, or medical records Identification of the business or product involved Application method: Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Abuja; state office contacts and online complaint portal

Official Resources

Website: www.fccpc.gov.ng

Legal Framework

Enacted under the legislative powers of the National Assembly as the Consumer Protection Council Act (Cap C25 LFN 2004). Now supplemented by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2019, which established a broader consumer protection and competition framework. Operates alongside the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act 2015, the NAFDAC Act, and the National Drug Policy. Aligns with UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection.