CJN Kekere‑Ekun Hails FCCPC as Pillar of Market Integrity, Consumer Protection
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere‑Ekun, has affirmed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s regulatory framework, safeguarding the integrity of the marketplace and protecting consumer rights.
Speaking at the opening of a three‑day Competition and Consumer Protection Law Conference at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, the CJN underscored the Commission’s statutory mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection laws, describing it as vital to curbing anti‑competitive practices, market distortions, and unfair business conduct that erode consumer confidence and economic stability.
Justice Kekere‑Ekun noted that the rapid evolution of modern markets—driven by digital commerce, technological innovation, and complex corporate structures—has made competition and consumer protection law one of the most dynamic and litigated fields globally. She stressed that Nigerian courts must be prepared for an increasing volume of disputes in this area, requiring principled judicial interpretation and sustained collaboration with regulatory institutions.
Highlighting the breadth of the FCCPC’s mandate, the CJN explained that its competition role promotes fair, transparent, and efficient market structures, while its consumer protection function shields individuals from exploitative practices across critical sectors such as finance, telecommunications, energy, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.
She further emphasized the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) mechanisms in easing judicial dockets and enhancing access to justice, noting that the FCCPA 2018 provides statutory support for such frameworks.
In his remarks, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Tunji Bello, reinforced the judiciary’s critical role in interpreting consumer protection laws to ensure coherent and predictable competition jurisprudence. He observed that modern markets present complex legal and economic questions—ranging from market dominance and restrictive agreements to unfair trade practices—that demand judicial officers be well‑equipped to assess economic evidence and expert testimony with clarity and confidence.
The conference, themed “Addressing Legal and Adjudicatory Issues in Competition and Consumer Protection under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018,” brought together senior members of the judiciary, regulators, and legal practitioners to deepen institutional understanding of the principles underpinning Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection regime.
The conference was graced by eminent members of the judiciary, including M. L. Shuaibu, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division; James Gambo Abundaga, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division; and A. B. Mohammed, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
Also present were B. A. Adejumo, Administrator of the National Judicial Institute; Louis Odion, Executive Commissioner for Operations at the FCCPC; former Lagos State Attorney‑General, Moyosore Onigbanjo; former FCCPC Chief Executive, Babatunde Irukera; and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Abugu.
