By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at closing regulatory gaps and strengthening enforcement against unsafe products and unfair market practices.

The agreement, signed in Abuja on Wednesday, is expected to deepen collaboration between both agencies in areas such as product safety, consumer protection, and enforcement of standards.

The deal also introduced a structured system for information exchange between both regulators, aimed at eliminating delays that often hinder investigations and enforcement.

Speaking at the event held at the commission’s corporate headquarters, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, said the pact marks a deliberate step towards coordinated regulation in Nigeria’s consumer market.

He said, “This event marks a deliberate step 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 the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, are clearly set out in law, although their functions increasingly overlap in practice.”

Mr Bello explained that while both agencies have distinct legal mandates, their responsibilities increasingly intersect in practice, especially in dealing with substandard goods, unsafe pharmaceuticals, and misleading product claims.

According to him, “FCCPC focuses on protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, or exploitative market behaviour. It also promotes competition, investigates complaints, and enforces remedies where consumer welfare has been undermined. NAFDAC’s responsibilities are more product-specific.

“It regulates 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.”

Mr Bello acknowledged that their regulatory functions increasingly overlap in practice, particularly in areas affecting both product safety and consumer rights.

He noted that issues such as misleading product claims, substandard goods, unsafe pharmaceuticals, and deceptive advertising often cut across the mandates of both agencies, requiring coordinated intervention.

He further explained that a harmful product in the market is not only a public health concern under NAFDAC’s jurisdiction, but also a consumer protection issue that falls within the enforcement scope of the FCCPC.

Similarly, cases involving false or misleading advertising of regulated products typically demand joint action from both institutions.

Against this backdrop, the agencies said the newly signed MoU provides a structured framework to address these overlaps, enabling more effective collaboration, clearer responsibilities, and improved regulatory outcomes.

The FCCPC boss stated, “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 within 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 remit, but also a consumer protection issue for FCCPC.

“The same applies to false advertising of regulated products, which typically requires input from both bodies. 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 added that the new framework would eliminate confusion for consumers and improve response time to complaints.

“Rather than leaving consumers to decide which agency to approach, complaints can now be received and reviewed in one place, and then directed through clearly defined channels. This will make the system more efficient and more responsive,” Mr Bello said.

The FCCPC boss also disclosed that the agreement provides for data sharing, joint investigations, and coordinated enforcement actions, as well as capacity building through training and technical collaboration.

He stressed that the ultimate goal is to build trust in the market.

“Effective regulation is not just about enforcement. It builds confidence. When consumers trust that products are safe and their rights are protected, markets function more efficiently,” he added.

In a stern warning to violators, Mr Bello said the collaboration would strengthen oversight and deter non-compliance.

“This will send shivers down the spine of those who are mischievous in our society, those who try to circumvent the rules. The message is clear: enforcement will be stronger and more coordinated,” he said.

On her part, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, described the agreement as critical to protecting Nigerians from harmful products and ensuring that consumer rights are upheld.

She said the partnership goes beyond documentation and must translate into action.

“This MoU is extremely important for the nation. But beyond the document, what matters is action. We do not need theory when it comes to consumer protection; we need results,” she said.

Mrs Adeyeye recounted instances where FCCPC responded swiftly to complaints she personally raised as a consumer, leading to immediate corrective actions by erring businesses.

“The two times that I complained, he responded almost immediately, and the enterprise made amends. That is the way it is supposed to be. That is the kind of leadership we need,” she said.

She emphasised that while NAFDAC ensures product safety and quality, FCCPC plays a critical role in protecting the rights of consumers who use those products.

“NAFDAC is about the safety and efficacy of products, but it is people who use those products. That is where FCCPC comes in. Consumers have the right to complain, and we must ensure those complaints lead to action,” she added.

The NAFDAC boss further noted that the collaboration would strengthen enforcement tools, including sanctions against violators, while enhancing public awareness through coordinated communication.

She said, “NAFDAC has the mandate to act against violators, FCCPC will fight for the consumer, and together we will ensure that Nigerians are protected. For the people who are watching us. Because this will be televised, just know that you are on our minds.

“In terms of product quality, safety and efficacy. In terms of your rights as a consumer to complain. We are watching your back.”

The MoU is expected to streamline complaint handling, improve regulatory coordination, and ensure faster resolution of consumer issues, while also creating a more predictable compliance environment for businesses.

The move comes at a time when Nigeria is battling the proliferation of substandard products, fake drugs, and deceptive advertising, all of which have continued to undermine consumer confidence and public health.

With both agencies now working under a unified framework, stakeholders say the success of the agreement will depend on sustained implementation and consistent enforcement.