FCCPC cracks down on hidden prices, poor labelling and refund dodging in Lagos

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned Lagos businesses to stop hiding prices, mislabelling products and refusing refunds. The regulator issued the warning at a stakeholder engagement on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Ikeja, Lagos.

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, said the agency is strengthening efforts to stop unfair business practices in Nigeria’s commercial capital. Bello was represented at the event by the commission’s South-West Coordinator, Olubumi Otti.

Why the regulator is moving

Bello said consumer trust is essential for the growth of Lagos’ huge market. He noted that millions of transactions take place daily across traditional markets, supermarkets, shopping malls, neighbourhood shops and online platforms. These activities contribute significantly to economic growth and employment, but their sustainability depends on trust between buyers and sellers.

He said consumers should know the actual price of a product before buying and should be able to rely on the information provided about goods and services. Businesses must also respect consumers’ legal rights to refunds, replacements or repairs whenever applicable.

“Consumers must be confident that the price they see is the price they will pay,” Bello said, stressing that transparent practices can boost customer loyalty, encourage spending and promote healthy competition.

Three major areas of focus

The FCCPC boss said the engagement addressed three major areas of concern: price tagging, minimum product labelling requirements, and businesses’ obligations regarding returns and refunds.

He explained that the meeting was not simply to remind businesses about existing laws but to help them understand how compliance can benefit their operations and relationships with customers. The FCCPC favours engagement and education as a means of improving compliance, arguing that businesses are more likely to follow regulations when they clearly understand what is expected of them.

“We expect businesses to deal with us honestly and transparently,” he said.

Despite the push for voluntary compliance, Bello acknowledged that the commission continues to receive complaints about practices that could easily be avoided. He described clear and visible pricing as one of the most basic requirements for a fair marketplace. Customers should not be forced to reach the checkout point before discovering how much a product costs. He also warned against situations where sellers charge different customers different prices for the same item based on assumptions about their ability to pay.

What this means for consumers and businesses

The regulator maintained that stronger adherence to consumer protection rules would protect buyers and also create a more transparent and competitive business environment in Lagos. For consumers, clearer prices and honest labelling mean fewer surprises at the till. For businesses, following the rules can build customer loyalty and encourage more spending, which is good for the wider economy.