The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) issued a stern warning to traders across Lagos State, urging them to halt artificial price inflation and ensure the authenticity and safety of goods sold in markets.
The directive, delivered by FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, during a Market Engagement Forum in Lagos, underscores the commission’s commitment to enforcing fair competition and protecting consumer rights under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018.
Represented by Mrs. Bridget Etim, Principal Consumer and Business Education Officer, Bello highlighted alarming findings from recent FCCPC operations in key Lagos markets.
At Daleko Market, inspectors uncovered expired rice being re-bagged and sold as premium brands, posing significant health risks to consumers.
In Mile 12, Lagos’s largest food hub, the commission identified tampered scales, under-weighing, repackaged spoiled produce, and suspected price-fixing of staples like rice, pepper, and yam.
Similarly, at Alaba International Market, a major electronics hub, traders were found selling counterfeit appliances mislabeled as “Tokunbo” (fairly used), alongside false warranty claims and coordinated price-fixing of electronics such as televisions and generators.
“These practices are not minor infractions. They erode public trust, endanger consumer safety, and violate the FCCPA’s provisions against deceptive practices and unfair pricing,” Bello stated, emphasizing that such violations harm honest traders and destabilize market integrity.
He called for a collaborative effort with market leaders to establish new standards of fairness, ensuring consumers can shop with confidence.
The forum, part of the FCCPC’s National Market Engagement Initiative, brought together traders, market association leaders, and consumer advocates to address these issues.
At Mile 12, Alhaji Shehu Jibril, Chairman of the market, raised concerns about insecurity affecting farmers, which he argued contributes to supply chain disruptions and rising costs.
He also called for investment in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks to safely transport perishable goods and reduce transportation costs, which currently exceed N150,000 for shipments from Kano to Lagos due to multiple taxes.
The FCCPC urged traders to prioritize honesty, promptly address consumer complaints, and comply with the law to avoid sanctions.
Bello warned that the commission would intensify enforcement actions against violators, citing a recent operation at Daleko Market where a syndicate was uncovered.
“We are committed to rooting out deceptive practices and restoring trust in our markets,” he said.
As the FCCPC prepares to visit Tejuosho Market to conclude its Lagos engagement, traders are under pressure to reform practices.
The commission’s efforts signal a broader push to tackle inflation and protect consumers in Nigeria’s commercial capital, amid growing public frustration over rising costs and substandard goods.
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