The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has issued a stern warning to traders across Lagos State, urging them to end the inflation of prices and the sale of substandard goods.
The warning comes amid intensified market surveillance by the commission in response to public concerns over exploitative practices and consumer safety.
At a Market Engagement Forum held in Lagos, the FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, represented by Mrs. Bridget Etim, Principal Consumer and Business Education Officer, delivered the directive to market leaders and traders.
He emphasized that traders at all levels must adhere to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, which prohibits deceptive and anti-competitive behavior.
Bello disclosed that recent enforcement actions by the FCCPC revealed widespread malpractice. At Daleko Market, officials uncovered expired rice that had been re-bagged and marketed as premium brands, an act he described as both illegal and dangerous to public health.
“This type of deception endangers lives and undermines the honest efforts of legitimate business owners,” he stated.
The commission also visited major markets including Mile 12 and Alaba International, where similar violations were discovered.
In Mile 12, Lagos’s largest food market, the FCCPC found traders using tampered scales, repackaging spoiled produce, and suspected of engaging in coordinated price-fixing on essential food items such as rice, yam, and pepper.
Meanwhile, at Alaba International Market, a hub for electronic goods, traders were flagged for selling counterfeit electronics branded as “Tokunbo” (fairly used), making false warranty claims, and engaging in cartel-like price-setting practices on televisions, mobile phones, and generators.
“These violations are serious. They inflate household costs, threaten consumer safety, and damage the public’s trust in the marketplace,” Bello warned.
He said such activities violate multiple sections of the FCCPA and vowed that the commission would intensify its crackdowns on errant businesses.
While acknowledging that traders operate under challenging economic conditions — including high transportation costs and multiple taxations — Bello insisted that hardship does not justify endangering consumers or violating the law.
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“The FCCPC remains committed to not just protecting consumer rights but also elevating legitimate business concerns to relevant government bodies,” he added. He called for collaboration with market associations to build a culture of honesty, transparency, and fair pricing.
Market leaders at the forum echoed similar sentiments. Alhaji Shehu Jibril, Chairman of Mile 12 Market, highlighted challenges faced by farmers, including insecurity and high logistics costs.
He called for the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas trucks for transporting perishable goods to prevent contamination from chemical-laden vehicles. Jibril revealed that transporting goods from Kano to Lagos now costs over ₦150,000 due to levies and taxes, making food more expensive.
He also appealed for government grants to support small traders in maintaining stable food supply chains. “Most of our members don’t have access to adequate capital. Government support will go a long way,” he said.
At Alaba, Chief Camilus Amajuoyi, Chairman of the Alaba International Amalgamated Council of Sections, pledged cooperation with the FCCPC. “We’ve worked with the commission in the past and seen good results. We’ll continue to fish out bad actors,” he promised.
Amajuoyi, who also heads the International Market Association Electronics, denied that Alaba was a hub for fake goods. “We’re now focused on indigenous, locally produced brands. Most of what we sell are Nigerian-made,” he said.
He emphasized that while a few bad eggs might exist, the market leadership was committed to rooting them out.
“The executive team is ready to work with FCCPC to identify and penalize traders who sell fake or substandard products,” he assured.
The FCCPC concluded the engagement forum by urging all market stakeholders to embrace transparency and ethical conduct in their dealings.
Bello affirmed that renewed engagement with market leaders will help promote a business environment where consumers are respected, and fair competition prevails.
NAN
