The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC) is partnering with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) to develop a clear and principled jurisprudence in competition and consumer protection law aimed at shaping market behaviour, boosting investor confidence and safeguarding Nigerian consumers.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, disclosed this during the FCCPC–NJI judicial training programme for judges and sector regulators held in Abuja.
Bello said the collaboration would strengthen domestic jurisprudence and regulatory practices, noting that within Nigeria’s constitutional framework, regulatory authority must operate within clearly defined legal boundaries.
He explained that regulators and courts in Nigeria have, in recent years,, been confronted with an increasing number of disputes arising from evolving market practices across several sectors of the economy.
According to him, many of the cases involve complex factual issues, economic evidence, and questions concerning the relationship between general competition law and sector-specific regulatory frameworks.
“Competition and consumer protection law often finds its most practical expression in the courtroom. It is there that the legal principles governing markets are tested, clarified, and given authoritative interpretation,” he said.
Bello added that Nigeria operates a market-driven economy where prices are largely determined by market forces, while legal mechanisms exist to scrutinise market conduct where concerns arise regarding competition, consumer welfare, or unfair commercial practices.
He noted that as Nigeria’s markets continue to evolve, the interaction between economic regulation and judicial oversight will become increasingly significant.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJI Board of Governors, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said the FCCPC occupies a strategic position within Nigeria’s regulatory system.
She explained that as the statutory authority responsible for enforcing competition and consumer protection laws, the commission plays a key role in protecting the integrity of the marketplace and preventing anti-competitive practices, market distortions, and unfair business conduct that undermine consumer confidence and economic stability.
Kekere-Ekun added that the commission’s competition mandate focuses on promoting fair, transparent, and efficient market structures capable of driving innovation, productivity, and sustainable economic growth.
She also stressed the importance of protecting consumers from exploitative practices across critical sectors of the economy, including financial services.
The Chief Justice further noted that the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies presents a new frontier in competition and consumer protection regulation.
According to her, while AI-driven systems offer significant benefits, they also pose risks such as data exploitation, algorithmic manipulation of consumer choices, privacy violations, and the spread of misleading information.
