Skip to main content

Banking, FMCGs Lead Consumer Complaints As FCCPC Unveils Report, Recovers N10b

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
A latest report unveiled by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has revealed that banking and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FCMG) led consumer complaints across key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The report, which covered cases lodged with the commission between March and August, 2025, was compiled from FCCPC complaint resolution platforms, a situation that provided insight into the patterns and prevalence of consumer dissatisfaction across 30 sectors.

Key findings indicated that the top 10  sectors were led by banking (3,173 complaints); followed by FCMG (1,543); fintech (1,442), and electricity (458).
Others were e-commerce (412); telecommunications (409); retail/wholesale/shopping (329); aviation (243);  information technology (131), and road transport and logistics (114).

While 9091 complaints were sorted out during the period under review, the consumer grievances ranged from unfair charges, service failure, unauthorised deductions, deceptive marketing, poor disclosure of terms, product defects, and failure to provide redress within acceptable timelines. 

This was even as the commission recovered ₦10 billion for aggrieved consumers, reflecting both the scale of harm and significant financial burden borne by consumers in the absence of effective redress.

Also, the publication of sector-specific complaint data aligned with the commission’s mandate under Sections 17(a), 17(j) of the FCCPA 2018, which empowered it to enforce consumer protection laws and make information on its functions available to the public.

The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr. Tunji Bello said that the recoveries were not merely statistics but depicted the story of consumer frustration, and daily challenges Nigerians faced in essential services.

He noted that FCCPC is determined to hold businesses accountable, ensure compliance with the FCCPA, and promote fair market practices that protect the welfare of all consumers.

Banking is the dominant source of consumer complaints, both in volume and financial exposure, highlighting recurring issues in loan deductions, account charges, and transaction disputes, and reflecting public reliance on the FCCPC to intervene in systemic financial service challenges.

Banking and fintech dominated by financial impact, showed consumer vulnerability where services are both essential and high value, signalling an urgent need for stronger joint regulation with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

With 458 reported complaints, the electricity sector ranks 4th overall, behind banking, financial services, and FCMG, highlighting persistent billing disputes, service delivery failures, and the need for stronger coordination between the FCCPC, NERC, state electricity regulatory agencies and electricity distribution companies (DisCos).

E-commerce disputes are relatively low-value but high-frequency, signalling broad consumer exposure at the retail level. While average monetary losses per complaint are low, the volume and recurrence of disputes (deliveries, refunds, counterfeit goods) reveal e-commerce as a growing consumer pain point.

Interestingly, report of the high incidence of disputes linked to digital lending, investment schemes, and microfinance services coincided with the unveiling of a new regulation by FCCPC to curb abuses in the digital lending sector.

The commission is intensifying monitoring, enforcement, and collaboration with sector regulators to address the concerns. Focus is on financial and utility services, where recurring patterns of consumer exploitation require corrective action.

FCCPC encouraged regulated entities to study the data trends and strengthen internal mechanisms for handling consumer complaints, ensuring that issues are addressed promptly and equitably.

Consumers are encouraged to continue reporting violations through the FCCPC complaint portal: complaints.fccpc,gov.ng, or FCCPC zonal and state offices. Every report assists the commission in identifying systemic issues and enforcing compliance.

This was contained in a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu in Abuja.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EHCON Moves To Rebrand Environmental Health Sector Using Artificial Intelligence

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Dr Yakubu Baba The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has taken cogent steps to rebrand the environmental health sector using artificial intelligence.  Already, plans are underway to extend the initiative across the six geopolitical zones, as no community would be sidelined.  The Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba stated this in Abuja at a 3-day workshop organised by EHCON in collaboration with Afri-Tourism Investment Limited and West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) with the theme: "AI-Driven Operations and Predictive Analysis." The essence of the workshop is to improve environmental health practice and prevent emerging diseases using artificial intelligent.   It is expected to empower Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) with the necessary digital skills needed to deepen environmental health practice and provide workable  solutions to problems.  Baba noted that integrating AI into environmental he...
Post a Comment
Read more

CCB, NILDS Endorse CIFCFIN Agenda To Eliminate Fraud

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Iliyasu Gashinbaki  The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) have endorsed the agenda of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), aimed at eliminating fraud from systems of government.  This was one of the major highlights during the Institute’s 13th Direct Training/Licensed Practitioners Training/graduation and award of Fellowship at NILDS headquarters, Abuja.  Speaking after his investiture as an Honourary Fellow of the Institute, Chairman of CCB, Dr. Abdullahi Bello noted that CIFICFIN embodies excellence, integrity and a steadfast commitment to combating fraud and upholding justice. He pointed out that to be recognised and honoured as a fellow of the institute is a privilege that he will cherish and carry with great responsibility.  “As the Chief Executive of CCB, I am reminded of the critical role we play in fosterin...
Post a Comment
Read more

EHCON Seals Deal With EPHAN On Sustainable Environmental Solutions

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R- Registrar/ CEO of EHCON Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba and President of EPHAN, Dr. Samuel Akingbehin during a strategic engagement session on Friday in Abuja. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has sealed a deal with Public Health Association of Nigeria (EPHAN) on sustainable environmental solutions.  The partnership wlll also bolster  speedy implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on environmental and public health.  News Rider reports that SDG 3 places emphasis on good health and well-being through the reduction of noncommunicable diseases, combatting waterborne diseases.; as well as lowers death and illness from exposure to hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution.  This is even as SDG 6 guarantees clean water and sanitation through universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation.  Addressing the media du...
Post a Comment
Read more