Consumer Protection Council (CPC)

The CPC is a Parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria, supervised by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment. Though it was established by Act No. 66 of1992, it commenced operations only in 1999, when its institutional framework was put in place. Our mandate requires us to, among others, eliminate hazardous products from the market, provide speedy redress to consumers complaints, undertake campaigns as will lead to increased consumer awareness, ensure that consumers interest receive due consideration at the appropriate forum, and encourage trade, industry and professional associations to develop and enforce in their various fields quality standards designed to safeguard the interest of consumers. 

While using all legitimate means to eliminate the scourge of consumer rights abuse in the Nigerian market place, we are conscious of the fact that an uninformed consumer population cannot be effectively protected if they do not know that they have rights, what the rights are, and how the rights could be protected. Businesses also need to be well acquainted with their obligations to consumers.

In view of all these, we are currently doing the best we can to effectively police the market, sensitise consumers to their rights and responsibilities and at the same time ensure that businesses are committed to fulfilling their obligations to consumers.It is our hope that with the co-operation of all market players, our country will become a better consumer-friendly nation.

CPC’s main functions include:

Providing speedy redress to consumers complaints through negotiation, mediation and conciliation; Seeking ways and means of removing fromthe markets hazardous products and causing offenders to replace such products with safer and more appropriate alternatives;Publishing from timeto time list of products whose consumption and sale have been banned, withdrawn, severally restricted or not approved by the Federal Government;

Causing an offending company, firm, trade association or individual to protect, compensate, provide relief and safeguards to injured consumersor communities from adverse effects of technologies that are inherently harmful, injurious, violent or highly hazardous; organising and undertakingcampaigns and other forms of activities that will lead to increased public consumer awareness;

Encouraging trade, industry and professional associations to develop and enforce in their various fields, quality standards designed to safeguardthe interest of consumers; Issuing guidelines to manufacturers, importers, dealers and wholesalers in relation to their obligation under the CPCenabling law;

Encouraging the formation of voluntary consumer groups or associations for consumers’ well being;Ensuring that consumers’ interest receive dueconsideration at appropriate fora and providing redress to obnoxious practices or the unscrupulous exploitation of consumers by companies, firms,trade associations or individuals;Registering and monitoring products, services and sales promotions in the market place.