FCCPC Mandates English Labelling for Consumer Products, Warns Against Counterfeiting
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a strong directive to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers, mandating that all consumer products in Nigeria must carry labels in the English language to safeguard public health and ensure informed consumer choices. This comes alongside heightened alarms over the proliferation of unsafe and substandard goods flooding markets, which the agency says is eroding consumer confidence and threatening market stability.
Speaking at the concluded 2026 World Consumer Rights Day commemoration in Abuja, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and C E O Tunji Bello, represented by the Director of Surveillance and Investigation Bola Adeyinka, underscored the non-negotiable nature of product safety and clear labelling. Bello warned that products labelled solely in foreign languages without English translations violate national regulations, expose consumers to avoidable risks, and disadvantage compliant businesses. “Consumers face avoidable risks, market trust diminishes, and law-abiding businesses suffer disadvantages,” Adeyinka stated, emphasizing that these are statutory duties attracting regulatory consequences for non-compliance.
The dual pronouncement highlights a broader crackdown on substandard imports and local products failing basic safety benchmarks as FCCPC surveillance has allegedly uncovered improperly labelled goods, items short of quality standards, and instances of deliberate misrepresentation across sectors. Adeyinka revealed intensified market inspections, bolstered product testing, and partnerships with bodies like the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to stem the tide.
FCCPC explicitly urged stakeholders to prioritise English labelling for effective consumer information, noting its role in mitigating health hazards from misunderstood instructions or ingredients. The aagncy went further to declare that foreign-only labels are unacceptable, reinforcing English as the official language for commerce. Bello emphasized that while FCCPC does not regulate prices, fair pricing underpins healthy markets. The agency called on businesses to embed safety across production and supply chains, from design to distribution. Consumers were urged to scrutinise labels, verify quality, and report violations promptly.
The event also promoted awareness among youth. FCCPC reaffirmed its resolve: “Safe and reliable markets depend on responsible business conduct, effective regulation, and informed consumer participation.” This push aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing regulatory reforms amid economic pressures, where consumer protection is pivotal to rebuilding trust in a market plagued by counterfeit and hazardous products. Non-compliant firms face penalties, including fines, seizures, and bans, as FCCPC vows zero tolerance. Industry watchers predict stricter enforcement will boost legitimate brands while curbing unsafe imports, fostering a more confident consumer base essential for sustainable growth
