FEDERAL COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 2018
Act · Trade
Policy date: 2018-01-01
An Act establishes the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to prohibit anti-competitive practices and protect consumers. It targets businesses, merging companies, and consumers from unfair trade practices. This maintains fair competition in the Nigerian economy.
FEDERAL COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 2018
What Is This Policy?
Nigeria's principal competition and consumer protection legislation that establishes the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and prohibits anti-competitive practices, mergers that lessen competition, and consumer protection violations.
Who Does It Target?
All businesses operating in the Nigerian market Merging companies requiring regulatory approval Consumers harmed by unfair trade practices Industry regulators with concurrent jurisdiction
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Promote and maintain fair competition in the Nigerian economy, protect consumers from exploitation and unfair practices, and regulate mergers and acquisitions to prevent market concentration.
Key Features
Anti-Competitive Conduct: Prohibits price fixing, market sharing, bid rigging, and abuse of dominant market position. Merger Control: Requires large mergers to obtain FCCPC approval before completion to prevent monopolistic combinations. Consumer Rights: Prohibits misleading advertising, defective goods, and unfair contract terms; grants consumers rights to redress. Investigation Powers: Grants the FCCPC broad powers to investigate, sanction, and impose fines on violating businesses.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active - FCCPC is operational and has reviewed multiple major mergers Coverage: All sectors of the Nigerian economy Beneficiaries: Nigerian consumers; businesses competing fairly Funding: Federal Government; merger notification fees; fines
How to Access
Merging parties: notify FCCPC where combined thresholds are met Consumers: file complaints at https://fccpc.gov.ng/complaints Businesses: review practices for compliance with competition rules Application method: Merger notifications and consumer complaints: https://fccpc.gov.ng
Important Terms
Failure to notify a qualifying merger may result in the merger being voided Cartel conduct attracts fines of up to 10% of annual turnover Consumer class actions are permitted under the Act
Impact & Metrics
FCCPC has reviewed major mergers across banking, telecoms, and FMCG; issued landmark decisions on anti-competitive practices.
Official Resources
Website: https://www.fccpc.gov.ng Contact: Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)
Legal Framework
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 is the primary competition and consumer protection legislation in Nigeria. It replaces the Consumer Protection Council Act and the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission Act. Constitutional authority derives from the Federal Government's power to legislate on trade and commerce. The Act aligns with the OECD Recommendation on Competition Assessment, UNCTAD Competition Policy Guidelines, and UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection.