Brands/Products
Regulators, Stakeholders Laud Rite Foods on Safety, Consumer Confidence
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have commended Rite Foods Limited for its commitment to safe, high-quality manufacturing and its consumer-centric approach that continues to strengthen consumer confidence in Nigeria’s food and beverage sector.
The commendation came during a recent stakeholder forum commemorating World Consumer Rights Day, themed Safe Product, Confident Consumers, organised by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) and hosted by Rite Foods Limited at the company’s state-of-the-art factory in Ososa, Ogun State, on Friday.
The forum brought together key stakeholders, including regulators, consumer advocates, and journalists, to discuss the importance of product safety, responsible manufacturing, and consumer awareness in building a more accountable marketplace.
World Consumer Rights Day, observed annually on March 15, provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting consumers and strengthening trust in products and services.
In his welcome address, Mr Femi Ajileye, General Manager, Operations at Rite Foods Limited, welcomed members of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria and introduced them to the company’s goal of delivering world-class food and beverage products produced with global best practices.
“At Rite Foods, our philosophy is simply to consistently deliver safe, high-quality products that consumers can trust. Our investment in advanced technology, automated processes, and rigorous quality assurance reflects our dedicated commitment to excellence and consumer satisfaction.”
He added that the company remains committed to transparency and stakeholder engagement as part of its broader responsibility to consumers.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Olubunmi Dorcas Otti, Zonal Coordinator, South-West Zone of the FCCPC, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman, Mr Tunji Bello, said Rite Foods had demonstrated a strong commitment to consumer protection through transparent operations and adherence to high production standards.
She noted that opening its manufacturing facility to regulators, journalists, and stakeholders further reflects the company’s confidence in its processes.
“Rite Foods has taken a commendable step in reinforcing consumer confidence through quality products and transparent operations. Protecting consumers is a shared responsibility, and engagements like this strengthen collaboration between regulators, industry players, and the media,” she said.
She also highlighted the important role of the media in bridging the gap between producers, regulators, and the public through accurate reporting and public education on consumer rights.
Also speaking, Mrs Tinuola Akinnubi, Deputy Director, Food Regulatory Directorate and Focal Point for Alcohol at NAFDAC, representing the Director General of the agency, Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasised that consumer rights remain a critical pillar of regulatory governance.
According to her, these rights include the right to safety, information, choice, redress, and to be heard. “A protected consumer is a confident consumer. And confident consumers strengthen markets, which ultimately contribute to building strong nations,” she said.
Mrs Akinnubi added that strengthening Nigeria’s consumer protection ecosystem requires enhanced surveillance, improved post-market monitoring, greater stakeholder engagement, the use of technology for traceability, and sustained consumer awareness initiatives.
Giving the keynote address, Mrs Sola Salako, President and Founder of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), praised Rite Foods for hosting the forum and highlighted the role of technology in strengthening consumer protection.
She spoke on Using AI to Improve Consumer Confidence, and introduced the CAFON Consumer Companion (3C) App, designed to help Nigerian consumers better understand and enforce their rights by guiding dispute resolution, complaint drafting, and identifying possible legal violations.
Mrs Salako also noted that the media can leverage the platform to verify consumer claims, investigate unfair practices, and promote accountability.
She commended Rite Foods for opening its operations to stakeholders, noting that a company willing to bring regulators, journalists, and consumer advocates into its factory demonstrates strong confidence in its processes and the quality of its products.
Speaking on behalf of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, Mr Dan Obi, Chairman of the association, commended Rite Foods for opening its production facility to journalists and regulators, describing the move as a demonstration of accountability and confidence in its manufacturing standards.
“The level of professionalism, hygiene, and automation observed during the factory tour reinforces confidence in the quality of products coming from Rite Foods. This kind of openness strengthens public trust and promotes responsible industry practices,” he stated.
Rite Foods’ portfolio includes 13 variants of Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Bigi Premium Table Water, the award-winning Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink, and Bigi Flex, Rite, and Bigi Beef Sausages.
The company recently received the Outstanding FMCG Corporate Brand of the Year at the Edge Awards, alongside multiple honours at the Sustainability, Innovation and Social Impact (SISA) Awards and the SERAS Awards.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, customers of Airtel Nigeria felt more involved and loved when the telecommunications company gathered them together at the Lagos Travel Inn Hotel in Ikeja to discuss some of their concerns, especially around data usage, transparency and their experience with its services.
It was the first-ever Customer Forum of Airtel Nigeria in Lagos, where regulators, high-volume data subscribers, 5G customers, and other key stakeholders learned ways to tackle the issue of data depletion.
The event, themed Understanding Your Data: How to Take Control, also highlighted Airtel Nigeria’s ongoing investments in customer experience, including enhanced digital tools, clearer usage dashboards, and expanded retail and support networks aimed at improving transparency and accessibility.
“This is our very first customer forum, and it is more than an event. It is a bold statement that in today’s digital economy, the most important voice is the informed customer,” the Director of Marketing at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Ismail Adeshina, said.
He emphasised that while data has become central to everyday life, from business transactions to education and healthcare, concerns around data value and consumption remain valid and must be addressed transparently.
“Data is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity as essential as electricity and water. However, as usage grows, customers are asking an important question: “Am I truly getting value for the data I purchase? This is not just a technical issue; it is a matter of trust,” Mr Adeshina added.
He further explained that evolving usage patterns, including high-definition video streaming, cloud-based applications, and background app activity, have significantly increased data consumption compared to previous years. According to him, the forum was designed as both a listening platform and an educational session to help customers better understand how their data is used.
“We are here to listen, to explain clearly, and to provide evidence. When customers understand how their data is consumed, it shifts the experience from uncertainty to control and from frustration to confidence,” he further disclosed.
On her part, the Director of Customer Affairs Bureau at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ms Freda Ruth Bruce-Bennett, reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to protecting consumer interests and ensuring service quality across the industry, noting that data consumption has become deeply integrated into daily life, making any perceived loss of data a significant concern for users.
“We understand that data is central to how people live and work today, which is why concerns around data depletion are taken seriously. The NCC has put mechanisms in place to ensure that consumers receive the quality of service they deserve and that their voices are heard,” she said.
Ms Bruce-Bennett encouraged customers to take advantage of the NCC’s consumer portal, which provides guidance on data management and a platform for lodging complaints.
“There is an A to Z of data management tips available on the NCC portal, and we encourage consumers to use it. We also continue to work closely with operators like Airtel to ensure that complaints are addressed promptly and transparently,” she added.
On customer engagement and service delivery, the Customer Experience Director at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Oladokun Oye, highlighted the company’s multi-channel approach to supporting customers across the country.
“At Airtel Nigeria, customer experience is not just a function; it is embedded across everything we do. From our network design to how we communicate and resolve issues, the customer remains at the centre,” he said.
He noted that Airtel maintains one of the most extensive customer touchpoint networks in Nigeria, including over 1,000 exclusive shops, a dedicated contact centre accessible via 300, and multiple digital platforms such as the MyAirtel App, web channels, and AI-powered chatbots.
“These channels are designed to provide not just service, but clarity and understanding. We are also continuously improving our digital platforms to ensure customers can track and manage their usage in real time,” Oye added.
He further advised customers to engage only with authorised Airtel outlets to ensure service quality and protect personal information.
The Airtel Customer Forum forms part of a broader industry effort, in collaboration with the NCC, to promote data awareness, transparency in billing, and improved customer education.
By creating a platform for open dialogue, Airtel Nigeria is reinforcing its shift from a transactional relationship with customers to a more collaborative and informed partnership.
The company noted that insights from the forum will inform future improvements in service delivery, customer communication, and digital tools, as it continues to support Nigeria’s journey towards a more inclusive and transparent digital economy.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public to the distribution of unregistered and suspected counterfeit Colgate toothpaste brand in Nigeria.
In a public notice shared on X (formerly Twitter), the agency said its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate received a complaint regarding the sale of the products in Kaduna State by a shop owner.
Following an investigation, officials of the food and drugs surveillance organisation visited the outlet and discovered two suspected counterfeit products branded as Coglaet ActivGel 100g and Coglaet Herbal 100g. The spellings were not only the indicator, but the production standards.
According to the agency, the shop owner disclosed that the items were sourced from a door-to-door sales representative but could not provide proof of purchase.
NAFDAC stated that the products failed to meet regulatory standards for registration and quality assurance, warning that they pose potential risks to public health and safety. It also added that the stated manufacturer could be traced to Baiyun District, Guangzhou, China.
The agency confirmed that the items have been removed from circulation, while efforts are ongoing to trace those responsible for their distribution.
NAFDAC urged consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspected sale of substandard or counterfeit regulated products to the nearest office, via its hotline or official email channels.
In a statement, NAFDAC said, “All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been instructed to conduct surveillance and mop up the unregistered and counterfeited products if found within their zones and states.
“Distributors, retailers, and consumers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.”
Consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard, falsified, or counterfeit regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322, or via email: [email protected]. For complaints, the Reforms Unit can be reached: 09097630506, 09097630507, or email: [email protected]
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Barely 24 hours after MTN Nigeria announced the suspension of its data and airtime lending services, another operator, Airtel Nigeria, has followed suit.
In a statement on Friday by its Director of Corporate Communications & CSR, Mr Femi Adeniran, Airtel Nigeria said it would not no longer offer the airtime and data credit services for now.
However, the company noted that customers will continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to airtime and data purchases through its existing channels.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) introduced new rules on lending services in the country, and in compliance with this, telecommunications companies had to suspend rendering the services.
The affected services allowed eligible prepaid customers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge.
The Director of Marketing at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Ismail Adeshina, in the statement, noted the suspension of the services was to “align our operations with evolving requirements.”
“Airtel Nigeria remains committed to the highest standards of compliance, transparency, and consumer protection, while continuing to innovate responsibly within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” he added.
The telco noted that the temporary suspension is not expected to have a material impact on its service standards across the country, promising to provide updates on the status of the service in due course.
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