The members of the Brand Journalists’ Association of Nigeria during the World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, hosted at the Ososa production facility of Rite Foods Limited in Ijebu Ode, Ogun.
The Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) has commemorated the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) with a renewed call for stronger collaboration among regulators, businesses, the media, and consumers to enhance consumer protection and build trust in Nigeria’s marketplace.
The forum, themed “Safe Product, Confident Consumer,” was hosted by Rite Foods Limited at its Ososa facility in Ogun and attracted stakeholders from government regulatory bodies, private sector companies, civil society groups, and media organizations. The 2026 edition also marked the 10th anniversary of BJAN’s annual World Consumer Rights Day event.
Stakeholders Advocate Stronger Consumer Protection
Delivering the keynote address, Sola Salako-Ajulo, founder of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), unveiled the CAFON Consumer Companion (3C) App, an AI-powered digital platform designed to guide consumers on their rights, assist in drafting complaints, support dispute resolution, and escalate consumer issues to the appropriate authorities.
Salako-Ajulo revealed that operational guidelines of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) would soon be integrated into the app, enabling consumers to access regulatory information on product safety, food quality, pharmaceuticals, and consumer health protection.
“Integrating NAFDAC regulations will empower consumers to understand product safety standards and make informed purchasing decisions while effectively enforcing their rights,” she explained.
She further emphasized that consumer confidence remains critical to economic growth, noting that a trustworthy marketplace encourages spending, innovation, and business expansion.
https://amehnews.com/2026/03/15/rethinking-consumer-protection-in-nigeria-salako-ajulo-calls-for-stronger-safeguards-for-2026-and-beyond/
“When consumers trust the system, they spend more, adopt innovations faster, and businesses grow. Conversely, when trust is weak, markets struggle,” she said.
Salako-Ajulo also pointed out that Nigeria already has strong consumer protection frameworks, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 and NAFDAC laws and regulatory guidelines. However, she stressed that the key challenge lies in low consumer awareness and limited understanding of enforcement mechanisms.
“An informed consumer is the strongest regulator in the market,” she added, calling on regulators, civil society organizations, and the media to collaborate in building a transparent, accountable, and consumer-focused marketplace.
Regulators Highlight Trust and Compliance
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Tunji Bello, represented by the Commission’s South-West Zonal Coordinator Olubunmi Dorcas Otti, underscored the importance of trust in strengthening consumer participation in the economy.
“Consumer confidence begins with trust. When consumers are assured that products meet safety and quality standards, they engage more actively in the economy,” Bello said.
FCCPC Boss urged businesses to maintain transparency and strict compliance with product safety standards, while encouraging the media to continue providing accurate and evidence-based reporting that keeps the public informed and holds companies accountable.
NAFDAC Calls for Stronger Consumer Protection Ecosystem
Also speaking, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Tinuola Akinnubi, reaffirmed that consumer rights are legally enforceable obligations.
She highlighted fundamental rights such as the right to safety, information, choice, hearing, and redress, stressing the importance of post-market surveillance, technological traceability systems, and consumer education campaigns.
“Consumer trust is built on compliance, transparency, and integrity—not marketing alone. Regulators, industry players, and the media must work collectively to ensure a safe and confident marketplace,” she said.
BJAN Advocates Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Earlier in his welcome remarks, BJAN Chairman Daniel Obi emphasized that protecting consumer interests requires a shared commitment across all sectors.
“Consumer protection is not the responsibility of regulators alone. Businesses, the media, civil society groups, and consumers themselves must work together to ensure safe, fair, and transparent marketplaces,” Obi stated.
Facility Tour Highlights Industry Best Practices
The event draws closed as all participants embarked on a guided tour of the production facility of Rite Foods Limited, where they observed the live manufacturing processes of some of the company’s flagship products. The tour guide provided stakeholders with practical insight into quality assurance systems and safety measures deployed by the Rite foods manufacturer to protect consumers.
Industry experts described the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day forum as a significant step toward building a more transparent, technologically driven, and consumer-focused marketplace in Nigeria, emphasizing that sustained collaboration among regulators, businesses, media organizations, and civil society is essential to achieving stronger consumer protection nationwide.
BJAN concluded the event by reaffirming its commitment to promoting consumer awareness and strengthening dialogue among stakeholders to ensure safer products and greater confidence in Nigeria’s marketplace.
BJAN commemorates 2026 World Consumer Rights Day, urging regulators, businesses, and the media to strengthen consumer protection as CAFON unveils an AI-powered 3C App to boost consumer awareness in Nigeria.
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