FCCPC, NAFDAC Seal Pact to Strengthen Consumer Protection and Drug Safety

In continuation of its commitment to consumers rights and protection, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on product safety, quality, and the efficacy of pharmaceuticals.

At the signing of the MoU in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the move would further strengthen collaboration between FCCPC and NAFDAC on regulation and control, aimed at preventing consumers from being shortchanged by fraudulent manufacturers and producers in the country.
According to Mr. Tunji Bello, FCCPC will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders in safeguarding the rights of Nigerian consumers.
He said, “This event marks a deliberate step forward towards strengthening collaboration in the service of Nigerian consumers, particularly in areas where product safety and consumer protection overlap and require coordinated action. The mandates of the FCCPC and NAFDAC are clearly set out in law, although their functions increasingly overlap in practice.”
In his words, “FCCPC focuses on protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, or exploitative marketing behavior and also promotes competition, investigates complaints, and enforces remedies where consumer welfare has been undermined, while NAFDAC’s responsibilities are more product-specific by regulating the manufacture, importation, distribution, advertisement, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and packaged water. Its central concern is safety and quality, ensuring that regulated products meet required standards, both before and after they enter the market.”
He further noted that, “In reality, the work of both agencies often converges. Issues such as misleading product claims, substandard goods, unsafe pharmaceuticals, and deceptive advertising raise questions that fall between both product safety and consumer protection. For instance, a harmful product that reaches the market is not only a public health concern under NAFDAC’s purview but also a consumer protection issue for FCCPC.”
“The same applies to false advertising of regulated products, which typically requires input from both parties. Given this overlap, a formal Memorandum of Understanding provides a practical basis for cooperation. The MoU being executed today, therefore, establishes a clearer and more workable framework for collaboration between the two institutions,” he stated.
He explained that the MoU outlines how information will be shared, ensuring that both organizations have timely access to data needed for investigations, policy development, and enforcement. It also addresses how complaints should be handled, allowing consumers to decide which agency to approach.
“This process allows complaints to be received and reviewed in one place, then directed through clearly defined channels. Designated teams from both agencies will support this system, helping to coordinate responses effectively while reducing confusion for the public,” he added.
Mr. Tunji Bello further said that, “The MoU also supports institutional capacity through shared training, technical collaboration, and continuous exchange of expertise. For consumers, the benefits are clear—there will be more straightforward pathways for lodging complaints, faster resolution of issues, and stronger enforcement where standards are not met. For businesses, expectations are equally clear; compliance remains essential, and a more coordinated regulatory approach will make enforcement more predictable and consistent.”
He noted that effective regulation is not just about enforcement but also about building confidence, stating that when consumers trust that products are safe and their rights are protected, markets function more efficiently. When businesses operate within clear and consistent rules, competition is strengthened, and the collaboration is designed to support both outcomes.
Mr. Tunji Bello commended the leadership and technical teams of both institutions whose efforts made the agreement possible, adding that their work reflects a strong commitment to improving regulatory outcomes in a complex and evolving environment, noting that the signing of the memorandum marks the beginning of a process.
On her part, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who commended FCCPC for its commitment to protecting consumers, promised the agency’s support to the Commission towards actualizing its mandate.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who expressed concern over the attitude of some manufacturers and producers, stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in the fight against fake and substandard products in the country.