Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s consumer protection ecosystem gathered at the Rite Foods Factory in Ososa, near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, to commemorate this year’s World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), reinforcing the need for stronger consumer rights protection and product safety in the marketplace.
The event, organised by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) with support from Rite Foods Limited, brought together regulators, industry leaders, and consumer advocates to examine the critical links between product safety, regulatory enforcement, and the role of technology in empowering consumers.
Welcoming participants to the factory, Chairman of BJAN, Daniel Obi, said the gathering was designed to spotlight the fundamental rights of consumers in an increasingly complex marketplace. He noted that the event, originally scheduled for Sunday, March 15, was moved forward to enable broader stakeholder participation.
“It is a day to highlight the protection of consumers and their rights because many consumer rights are being undermined,” Obi said, adding that the theme, “Safe Product, Confident Consumer,” serves as a strong call for greater accountability across industries.
Representing the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Tunji Bello, the Commission’s South-West Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Olubunmi Oti, commended the decision to host the event at a manufacturing facility.
“Being around where production takes place allows us to see where the journey of many consumer products begins,” Oti said. She added that Rite Foods Limited demonstrated commendable transparency by opening its production facility to journalists, stressing that consumer protection is a shared responsibility among manufacturers, regulators, and the public.
Oti also reminded businesses of their statutory obligation under Section 114 of the FCCP Act 2018 to provide clear and accurate information about their products to consumers.
Providing the manufacturer’s perspective, General Manager, Operations at Rite Foods Limited, Awofemi Ajileye, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining world-class standards as a proudly indigenous Nigerian brand.
“Without the consumer, we do not exist in the first place,” Ajileye stated. He explained that every product undergoes rigorous analysis and strict release criteria before entering the market. According to him, the company continues to invest in staff training and advanced laboratory testing, including sending water samples abroad for elemental analysis, to ensure that product quality and consumer trust remain uncompromised.
On the regulatory front, Deputy Director and National Focal Point for Alcohol at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Tinuola Akinnubi, who represented the Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, reiterated the agency’s firm commitment to science-driven regulation and transparent enforcement.
“Consumer safety is non-negotiable,” Akinnubi said, noting that NAFDAC has intensified Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections and post-market surveillance to eliminate substandard products from circulation.
The event also featured a major technological innovation with the introduction of 3C – CAFON Consumer Companion, Nigeria’s first free artificial intelligence-powered consumer rights guide.
Founder of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), Sola Salako-Ajulo, explained that many consumers often feel overwhelmed when dealing with large corporations.
“Artificial Intelligence can transform consumer protection by simplifying complex laws and providing instant guidance,” she said. According to her, the 3C tool is designed to help consumers better understand their rights, identify potential legal violations, and draft complaints before they are exploited.
The gathering underscored the growing collaboration among regulators, manufacturers, journalists, and advocacy groups to strengthen consumer protection and build a marketplace where safe products inspire confident consumers.
