The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M.O. Kekere-Ekun, has disclosed that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) plays an important role in ensuring that the public is not exploited at the marketplace in Nigeria.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the strategic judicial training on the competition and consumer protection law under the Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, in Abuja, the CJN explained the collaborative spirit underpins the institute’s programs and reflects “our shared commitment to strengthening judicial capacity in areas of law that are both emergent and increasingly consequential to economic governance and public welfare.”
“The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission occupies a pivotal position within Nigeria’s regulatory architecture.
“As the statutory authority responsible for enforcing competition and consumer protection laws, the Commission plays a vital role in safeguarding the integrity of the marketplace.
“Through its mandate, the FCCPC serves as a bulwark against anti-competitive practices, market distortions, and unfair business conduct that undermine consumer confidence and economic stability.
“The competition mandate of the Commission is directed at promoting fair, transparent, and efficient market structures that encourage innovation, productivity, and sustainable economic growth.
“At the same time, its consumer protection mandate ensures that individuals are shielded from exploitative practices across critical sectors of the economy, including the financial services sector, telecommunications, transportation, energy, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.”
Kekere noted that “given the breadth and importance of this mandate, the FCCPC necessarily occupies a strategic institutional space that requires vigilance, integrity, and proactive engagement with key stakeholders. Continuous dialogue and knowledge exchange between regulators and the judiciary are therefore indispensable.
“It is in this light that the present training, convened under the theme “Addressing Legal and Adjudicatory Issues in Competition and Consumer Protection under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018,” assumes particular significance.
“Across jurisdictions, competition and consumer protection law has rapidly evolved into one of the most dynamic and litigated fields of legal practice.
Contemporary developments illustrate the growing complexity of the field. From the increasing prevalence of greenwashing litigation, which exposes regulatory gaps in industries such as fashion, travel, and retail, to regulatory challenges within digital markets and the rising demand for collective consumer redress through class actions, the global legal landscape is undergoing significant transformation.
“These developments have important implications for the judiciary. As the enforcement environment expands, courts may witness a substantial increase in the volume and complexity of cases arising from competition and consumer protection disputes. This, in turn, has the potential to exert additional pressure on already demanding judicial dockets.
“Within the framework of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, it is noteworthy that while Section 146(1) provides for administrative mechanisms for resolving consumer complaints, Section 146(2) allows consumers to approach the courts directly without first exhausting these administrative remedies. This legislative design underscores the importance of judicial readiness to address disputes arising under the Act.
“I must emphasise, however, that this observation should not be interpreted as suggesting any reluctance on the part of the courts to discharge their adjudicatory responsibilities. On the contrary, the Nigerian judiciary has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the protection of consumer rights and the preservation of market integrity through principled and well-reasoned judicial decisions.”
He said, nonetheless, “Experience from other jurisdictions suggests that the strategic deployment of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) mechanisms can significantly enhance the efficiency of consumer protection regimes.
“These mechanisms facilitate the timely and cost-effective resolution of disputes, thereby reducing the burden on courts while improving access to justice for consumers.
“While the FCCPA contains provisions that may support the use of ADR mechanisms, particularly when Sections 146, 151(1)(e), and 153 are read together, there is merit in exploring more deliberate institutional frameworks that prioritize these alternatives as complementary tools within the dispute resolution ecosystem.
“Another critical frontier deserving attention is the expanding role of Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies in shaping competition and consumer protection dynamics.
“The proliferation of AI-driven systems is transforming markets in unprecedented ways.
“While these technologies offer immense benefits, they also introduce complex risks, including data exploitation, algorithmic manipulation of consumer choices, privacy infringements, and the dissemination of misleading information.
“It is noteworthy that the FCCPC has already taken significant steps towards integrating technological tools into its regulatory framework. Worthy of mention is the development of a National Digital Traceability.
“Portal, designed to enhance supply chain transparency and strengthen consumer protection. Similarly commendable is the Commission’s regulatory oversight of digital lending activities through the Digital.”
The DG also spoke about Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (DEON) 2025.
“These initiatives reflect a forward-looking approach to regulation. However, they must be seen as part of an ongoing journey.
“As technology continues to evolve, regulatory institutions must remain adaptive, innovative, and responsive to emerging challenges.
“I am therefore pleased to observe that the programme for this training includes sessions addressing digital markets, data exploitation, and fintech, as well as comparative perspectives on competition adjudication.
“These topics are both timely and essential to equipping judicial officers with the knowledge required to effectively adjudicate disputes arising in these complex areas,” he stated.
In his address, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello said the 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.
“The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is particularly grateful to the National Judicial Institute (NJI) for its partnership in convening this programme.
“The Institute, under the leadership of the Chairman of the Council, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, has long served as Nigeria’s central platform for continuing judicial education and has played an important role in strengthening judicial capacity across evolving areas of law.
*This collaboration reflects the growing importance of competition and consumer protection law within Nigeria’s legal and economic landscape.
“The legal foundation for this is provided by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which establishes the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as Nigeria’s primary authority for promoting fair competition and protecting consumer welfare.”
“The Act introduced a comprehensive national regime governing anticompetitive conduct, consumer protection, mergers and acquisitions review, and market surveillance.
“As the implementation of this framework continues to evolve, the role of the courts in interpreting its provisions remains central to the development of coherent and predictable competition jurisprudence in Nigeria* he stated.
The training is scheduled for two days, from the 10th to 12th of March, 2026.
