FCCPC, LASCOPA join forces to tackle unfair trade practices in Lagos

Experts in the built environment have emphasised that proactive physical planning, strict enforcement of development regulations and stronger collaboration among professionals are essential to tackling the recurring incidence of building collapse in Nigeria.

The call was made during the July monthly webinar of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Amuwo-Odofin Cell, where a town planner, Dr Olabisi Ajakaiye, delivered a lecture titled, “Proactive Physical Planning: A Panacea to Preventing Building Collapse.”

The virtual session, coordinated by Chubike Okafor, attracted professionals from across the built environment, including town planners, builders and engineers. Also in attendance were the National President of the BCPG, Yusuf Suleiman; Lagos State chapter officials, and other stakeholders.

Okafor described physical planning as the foundation of sustainable development, stressing that no professional can work in isolation if the country is to address the persistent challenge of building collapse.

He said the built environment requires collaboration among architects, builders, engineers, town planners and other professionals.

In his keynote presentation, Ajakaiye identified physical planning as one of the most effective policy tools for preventing building collapse.

In another development, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) have intensified their joint campaign against market infractions in Lagos State, issuing a firm directive to businesses to strictly comply with mandatory price tagging, product labelling and legal refund obligations or face administrative penalties, sealing of premises and prosecution.

The charge was given during a joint stakeholders’ engagement forum co-hosted by FCCPC and LASCOPA at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Alausa, Ikeja.

The forum, themed “Price Tagging, Minimum Labelling Requirements and Return/Refund: The Implications of Non-Regulatory Compliance,” brought together key regulatory partners, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), alongside industry leaders, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumer advocacy groups.

In a welcome address, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, declared that compliance with market regulations is a mandatory legal requirement under both the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 and the LASCOPA Law 2025 (as amended).

Solebo emphasised that the joint initiative operationalises a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both agencies in April 2026 to enhance institutional synergy, market surveillance and consumer protection across Lagos State, serving over 20 million residents.

Also, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, represented by the South-West Regional Coordinator of the Commission, Dr Olubunmi Dorcas Otti, stressed that regulatory compliance is fundamentally a strategic business asset that builds market trust.

The dual regulatory leadership, therefore, urged trade associations, business owners, and corporate leaders to audit their pricing structures, train frontline staff, and ensure end-to-end transparency across supply chains.

Consumers were equally encouraged to remain vigilant, inspect product labels, demand purchase receipts and promptly report market infractions to statutory authorities.