As Nigerian consumers continue to face challenges in the marketplace, many remain unaware of their rights, leading to widespread exploitation by brands and businesses, according to consumer rights advocate and member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, Mrs. Sola Salako-Ajulo.
Speaking at the recent Industry Women Conference in Lagos, Mrs. Salako-Ajulo highlighted the pressing need for stakeholders to sensitise Nigerians about their rights as consumers, emphasising that such awareness is crucial for ensuring fair treatment in the marketplace.
“Many Nigerians don’t know they have rights as consumers,” said Mrs. Salako-Ajulo. “This ignorance is a major issue, as it allows companies to trample on those rights with impunity. Consumerism in Nigeria will only work when the buying public is fully aware of their rights and is able to defend them when necessary.”
The advocate stressed that, while there has been a noticeable increase in the number of consumer advocacy groups across the country, many Nigerians still do not seek redress when their consumer rights are violated. This lack of action, she explained, has led to an environment where businesses feel they can exploit consumers without fear of consequences.
“Apathy among consumers is one of the biggest challenges we face,” Mrs. Salako-Ajulo continued. “When people do not know their rights or do not make the effort to challenge unfair practices, it only emboldens businesses to continue exploiting them.”
The problem of consumer exploitation in Nigeria is far from new. Nigerians have long faced issues such as poor product quality, deceptive marketing, faulty goods, and unfair pricing practices. In a country where many people struggle to make ends meet, the exploitation of consumers can have a devastating effect on families and communities. However, as Mrs. Salako-Ajulo pointed out, the solution lies in empowering consumers with the knowledge and tools they need to hold businesses accountable.
In an effort to address this issue, Mrs. Salako-Ajulo has published a book titled Protect Yourself. The 107-page book, which she has been distributing free of charge at public events, aims to educate Nigerians on their consumer rights and provide guidance on how to seek justice when those rights are violated.
“The purpose of Protect Yourself is to provide a practical guide for Nigerians who may not know where to turn when they feel they have been wronged as consumers,” Mrs. Salako-Ajulo explained. “It outlines the steps people can take to make complaints and get results, whether they are dealing with a defective product, bad service, or unfair business practices.”
The book, which covers everything from how to lodge a complaint with relevant authorities to how to seek redress through legal channels, aims to fill a crucial gap in consumer education. By distributing the book at various public functions, Mrs. Salako-Ajulo hopes to reach a wide audience and raise awareness about the importance of consumer rights.
While many Nigerians remain unaware of the resources available to them, Mrs. Salako-Ajulo believes that greater awareness can lead to lasting change. “Consumers must realise that they have power in the marketplace,” she said. “When they demand accountability and speak out against exploitation, businesses will have no choice but to improve their practices.”
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, where Mrs. Salako-Ajulo serves as a member, plays a key role in upholding consumer rights in Nigeria. The tribunal is tasked with resolving disputes between consumers and businesses, as well as enforcing regulations that protect consumers from unfair practices. However, Mrs. Salako-Ajulo pointed out that the tribunal can only do so much if consumers are not proactive in seeking redress.
“It is essential that consumers learn how to use the tools available to them, such as the Tribunal and consumer protection agencies,” she explained. “But it all starts with awareness. If Nigerians don’t know what their rights are, they cannot defend them.”
“We are seeing more advocacy groups and more discussions around consumer rights, but there is still a large segment of the population that is unaware of what they are entitled to as consumers,” she said. “Without this knowledge, we will continue to see businesses taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers.”
One of the key challenges in addressing consumer rights in Nigeria is the lack of consistent enforcement of regulations. Many businesses continue to flout consumer protection laws without facing significant consequences. As a result, many Nigerians feel helpless in the face of unfair practices and may not believe that complaining will lead to any meaningful change.
“Enforcement of consumer protection laws is an ongoing challenge,” Mrs. Salako-Ajulo acknowledged. “But with more people aware of their rights, we can push for stronger enforcement and greater accountability from businesses.”
