Consumer Rights and Responsibilities

Who is a Consumer?

A consumer is any person who buys or uses goods and services for personal use rather than for resale or manufacturing.

Basic Rights of a Consumer

• Right to safety – protection from goods and services that are hazardous to health
• Right to information – accurate details about a product, such as price, ingredients and expiry date
• Right to choose – access to a variety of goods and services at fair prices
• Right to be heard – the ability to complain and have consumer interests considered
• Right to redress – the right to fair compensation for faulty goods or poor services

Responsibilities of a Consumer

• Reading and following instructions or warnings on products
• Checking the quality and expiry date of goods before purchase
• Asking questions and seeking clarification before buying
• Reporting fake, expired or substandard products to appropriate authorities
• Using goods and services responsibly and honestly

Agencies That Protect Consumers in Nigeria

• Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)
• Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
• National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)

Summary

Consumers enjoy certain rights that protect them from exploitation, but they also carry responsibilities that help create a fair and safe marketplace for everyone.