The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have signed a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation and speed up the resolution of consumer complaints.
The agreement was signed between the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, Tunji Bello, and the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, during a ceremony attended by stakeholders.
The MoU is aimed at ensuring effective collaboration between both institutions in protecting consumers and improving regulatory oversight across affected sectors.
Under the agreement, both agencies will notify each other of investigations relating to complaints or issues involving the safety and quality of food, drugs, chemicals, medical devices, packaged water, cosmetics, and detergents.
The notification is expected to be made no later than 10 working days before the commencement of such investigations.
The agencies also agreed to coordinate investigations where practicable in order to maximise efficiency, optimise resources, and avoid duplication of efforts.
The MoU, however, clarified that the arrangement does not prevent either agency from conducting independent investigations in line with its statutory mandate.
In cases where disputes arise between both institutions, the agreement provides that such issues will be resolved through consultations between the chief executives of the agencies, with their decisions binding on all parties involved.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Tunji Bello stated that harmful products in the market represent both a public health issue and a consumer protection concern, making collaboration between the agencies necessary.
“Given this overlap, a formal Memorandum of Understanding provides a practical basis for cooperation. The MoU being executed today establishes a clearer and more workable framework for collaboration between the two institutions,” he said.
Bello added that consumers would benefit from easier complaint channels, faster resolution of issues, and stronger enforcement where standards are violated.
He also advised businesses to maintain compliance, noting that coordinated regulation would make enforcement more predictable and transparent.
On her part, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said consumer protection standards in Nigeria should align with international best practices.
She described the MoU as important for safeguarding consumers, adding that complaints raised by consumers would now receive quicker attention.
Adeyeye also noted that several grey areas identified in the previous agreement signed in 2022 had been clarified in the new version.
The collaboration follows recent joint enforcement actions by NAFDAC, FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency against the sale and distribution of sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages below approved volume limits.
