Tinubu Chooses Olatunji Bello to Lead FCCPC

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr Olatunji Bello as the new Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice-Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), six months after sacking Mr Babatunde Irukera from the post.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement late on Monday, noting that the appointment is pending confirmation by the Senate.

He said that the President expects the new chief executive of the consumer protection agency to ensure the holistic realization of the commission’s mandate of protecting and promoting the interest and welfare of Nigerian consumers and ensuring the adoption of measures to guarantee the safety and quality of goods and services.

Mr Bello is a lawyer, administrator, and renowned journalist. He was once the secretary to the Lagos State Government and holds a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos.

“He studied Law at the same university and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002,” the statement read.

“Bello began his career in journalism at the Concord Newspapers in 1985 and held the positions of Group Political Editor; Sunday Concord Editor, and Editor, National Concord.

“He is a winner of the US Alfred Friendly Press Fellowship and was appointed the Chairman, Editorial Board of THISDAY Newspapers in 2001.

“He also served as Commissioner for Environment under various administrations in Lagos State.”

He will man the consumer protection agency that was previously handled by Mr Irukera before President Tinubu sacked him from office in January.

He said this was due to “plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies of the federal government towards protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers and providing a strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation’s economy by key growth-enabling institutions.”

Mr Irukera had wanted to pick the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Kwara State. He was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017 as the CEO of the FCCPC when the organisation was then known as the Consumer Protection Council (CPC).

Under his administration, there were several operations, including the sealing off of the popular Lagos-based confectionery brand, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in 2018 and several challenges on Pay TV service, Multichoice Nigeria Limited for increases in the costs of their services.