ABSTRACT Protecting the rights of consumers is pivotal in any market economy. Globally, laws are enacted and bodies institutionalised to protect the rights of consumers against unscrupulous manufacturers and distributors. These laws protect the interests of consumers; ensure accessible, transparent and efficient redress for consumers who are prone to abuse or exploitation in the market place. In the same vein, Nigeria has enacted the Consumer Protection Council Act with the aim to protect consumers from unscrupulous suppliers, unfair market practices, defective products and false marketing strategies. This paper examines the Consumer Protection Council Act and the functions of the Council. This is to determine how responsive the Council is in protecting the rights of consumers, and the effectiveness of the Act in actualizing its objectives as stated therein. To do this, the author adopts primary research methodology which includes review of scholarly articles on consumer protection.
See Full PDF See Full PDFThis study focuses on the issues and challenges relating to consumerism and consumer protection in Nigeria, with particular attention to the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Act 2004. Evidences from available literature indicate that consumerism in Nigeria, like in most Less Developed Countries has remained at the lowest ebb in spite of the prevalence of unwholesome business practices. The Nigerian consumer is thus continuously saddled with substandard goods and services, coupled with the lack of information and limited choice in the market, thus necessitating political/government efforts. In This study, it was observed that although the CPC Act recognized the rights of consumers, it does not specifically provide for these rights as they are merely implied and subsumed into the functions of the council and the state committees established by the Act. We therefore conclude that mere existence of the law is not enough. Specific protective and compensatory measures should be clearly stated for any infringement on any of the consumers' rights. Doing so would strengthen the CPC Act in Nigeria. Further the Consumer Protection Council need to embark on sustained sensitization of consumers on their rights and also push for the amendment of specific sections of the CPC Act to give aggrieved consumers unfettered access to courts to pursue their rights.
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With the deregulation of the telecommunications sector in 2002, the sector has remained one of the fastest growing sectors of the Nigerian economy. Deregulation and the introduction of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) have revolutionized telecommunications in the country. The consequent expansion of the industry and its consumer base has been followed by consumer complaints in various forms. The Nigerian Communications Act, which regulates the telecommunications industry, established the Nigerian Communications Commission and provides for licensing of operators, quality of services and dispute resolution in the industry. This paper examines the remedies available to a consumer who suffers loss or damage as a result of poor quality services. It is argued herein that there is adequate mechanism for redress for consumers of telecommunication services in Nigeria.
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In line with Nigeria's economic transformation plan ('Nigeria vision 20:2020) to be ranked amongst the top 20 economies of the world by the year 2020, the CBN has in recent past introduced a number of initiatives aimed at modernising and improving the efficiency of the payment systems in Nigeria. To this end, the CBN launched the Payments System Vision 2020 (PSV2020), a strategy document which provides a road map for the adoption of electronic payment systems in Nigeria. Under the Payments System Vision 2020, the CBN has also continued to issue guidelines and implement policies and initiatives geared towards the development of Nigeria's payment systems. One of such policies or initiatives of significant effect is the cash-less policy initiative embarked upon by the CBN since 2011 with the overall objective of transforming Nigeria into a cash-less society by reducing the amount of physical cash in circulation and encouraging the usage of electronic payments. This paper discusses specific consumer-related issues of electronic payments focusing on consumer rights and disputes resolution mechanisms in Nigeria.
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Consumer satisfaction should be the point of focus of all sellers, producers and manufacturers when performing their business activities. The essence of any company in the market place is the satisfaction of the needs and wants of target customers with appropriate goods and services at a profit. The research was carried out in Ikeja metropolitan city of Lagos State between March – July, 2006. The objectives of this paper include (i) To X-ray the ideals of the marketing concept and find out if Nigerian Food and Drug manufacturers and Sellers (Marketers) have been following these ideals (ii) To examine the reasons for Consumerism and find out the extent to which Nigerians have been involved as it relates to food and drug marketing (iii) To make a comparison between the ideals of marketing concept and consumerism and find out whether there existed a reasonable gap among others. The paper employs two hypotheses and four research questions. The hypotheses were tested with the aid of quantitative statistics while logical answers were provided to the research questions. As regards findings of the paper, it is pathetic to note that many marketers in their pursuit of profit have not faithfully implemented the ideals of marketing concepts. However, the laudable activities of National Agency for Food, :Drug, Administration & Control (NAFDAC) and the recent moves of the Standard Organization of Nigeria will helped to positively change the attitude of Nigerian marketers towards the Nigerian consumers.
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