In commemoration of World Consumer Rights Day, the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) in collaboration with Rite Foods Limited and other key stakeholders gathered to celebrate and interrogate what it truly means to protect the Nigerian consumer in an era defined by rapid technological change, regulatory complexity and evolving market dynamics.

The event, which took place at the production facility of Rite Foods Limited in Ososa, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, brought together members of BJAN, senior representatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON).

The event, themed “Safe Products, Confident Consumers,” speaks to how consumers today demand transparency, accountability and authenticity from every brand they engage with.

Daniel Obi, Chairman BJAN, noted in his opening remarks that brand journalists occupy a unique and critical space between regulators, manufacturers and the consuming public.

“As brand journalists, our responsibility goes beyond reporting what brands say about themselves. We are the bridge between brands and what consumers understand about the products they buy. Today, by standing inside this facility, we are doing exactly what this profession demands getting close to the truth and bringing the public with us,” Obi said, reaffirming BJAN’s commitment to consumer education and accountability journalism.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Olufemi Ajileye, general manager of operations, Rite Foods Limited, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to producing safe and high-quality products for Nigerians while maintaining global standards.

“Every year, we send samples of our water abroad to ensure its safety against heavy metals and other contaminants. We work with trusted vendors and operate some of the best equipment sourced internationally,” he said.

Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC, was represented at the event by Dr. Tinuola Akinnubi, Deputy Director of Food Regulation and Focal Point for Alcohol at NAFDAC.

Dr. Akinnubi commended BJAN for consistently providing a credible platform where regulation, industry and journalism intersect in the interest of Nigerian consumers. “Today is not merely ceremonial. It is reflective. It is strategic. And most importantly, it is a call to action,” she said.

Dr. Akinnubi spoke directly to the event theme, emphasising that consumer confidence is built on product safety and that safety begins with strong regulation. She outlined a series of NAFDAC regulatory interventions including a strengthened post market surveillance framework designed to swiftly detect substandard and falsified products, updated labelling regulations requiring clear ingredient disclosure and accurate nutritional information, and technology driven authentication systems targeting falsified medicines. “A sustainable market cannot tolerate products that endanger health,” she stated firmly.

She stressed that transparency in production processes plays a critical role in strengthening public confidence. “Informed consumers make sustainable choices. Transparency drives responsible consumption,” she said, adding that consumer rights including the right to safety, the right to information, the right to choose and the right to be heard remain the backbone of regulatory governance in Nigeria.

Dr. Akinnubi also recognised the indispensable role of brand journalists in the consumer protection ecosystem. “Brand journalists are translators of regulatory science, amplifiers of consumer education, watchdogs against non compliance and builders of public trust. Accurate reporting strengthens markets. Misinformation weakens them,” she said.

She closed with a firm call to action. “Let industry prioritise compliance over profit margins and safety over shortcuts. Let the media amplify facts over sensationalism. A protected consumer is a confident consumer. A confident consumer strengthens markets. And strong markets build strong nations,” she declared.

Mr. Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the FCCPC, who was represented by Dr. Olubunmi Otti, Zonal Coordinator for the South West noted that holding the event at a production facility was particularly fitting.

“Being around where production takes place allows us to see where the journey of many consumer products begins. It is at this stage that safety standards, quality controls and compliance procedures are applied and monitored,” he said.

Bello, noted that the global observance held annually on March 15 provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting consumers while strengthening trust in the marketplace.

He explained that when consumers are well informed and adequately protected, markets function more efficiently and businesses are able to grow in a stable and predictable environment.

Members of the Brand Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (BJAN) at Ososa Plant, Rite Foods Limited in Ogun State

FCCPC boss grounded his remarks in the agency mandate under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018. ”

He said under Section 114 of the Act, businesses are required to provide consumers with clear, accurate and understandable information about goods and services, including pricing information, product labelling and proper trade descriptions so that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions,” he explained.

He acknowledged Rite Foods for opening its facility to journalists and stakeholders. “Compliance with safety standards is not just a regulatory obligation. It is an investment in consumer trust and long-term brand credibility,” he said.

On her part, Hon. Sola Salako Ajulo, Founder of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), brought a technology focused perspective with her presentation on using AI to improve consumer confidence.

She opened with a frank assessment of the Nigerian consumer reality. “Many Nigerian consumers feel confused about their rights, helpless when businesses ignore complaints, intimidated by large companies and unsure where to seek help. The result is low consumer confidence in the marketplace,” she said.

Salako Ajulo argued that Nigeria’s problem is not a lack of laws but a lack of awareness and enforcement. “Nigeria actually has strong consumer protection laws. The real problem is that consumers do not know their rights. And even when they do, they do not know how to enforce them,” she said.

She introduced CAFON, an AI powered tool, called the 3C — CAFON Consumer Companion, she described it as Nigeria’s first free AI consumer rights guide designed to help Nigerians understand their rights and get practical guidance when facing consumer challenges at any stage, before a purchase, during a transaction or after something goes wrong.

“The future of consumer protection is not only regulation. It is information empowerment. AI can help bridge the gap between consumer rights on paper and consumer rights in practice. Together, regulators, media and civil society can build a marketplace where consumers are informed, businesses are accountable and trust in the system grows,” she said.