News
Agencies Kick Against New Consumer Protection Laws

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) among others, have faulted the new Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Act (FCCPA) 2019, describing it as excessively dominant on regulatory bodies.
While they were unanimous on the need to protect Nigerian consumers, they frowned at the Act’s creation of a “super-regulator” and “extra-territorial applications” of its provisions to industries with specific regulations.
The parastatals, which met at the Stark Illuminate 1.0 forum in Lagos commended Starklegal law firm, the organiser, for bringing the Act to the their notice, but called for a review to avert major crises in industries and closure of businesses in the Nigeria.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari in February signed the new consumer protection bill into law, to repeal the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Act.
The law applies to all undertakings and all commercial activities within, or having effect within Nigeria. The provisions are binding on Federal and State government corporations and parastatals as well as all commercial activities aimed at making profit and geared towards the satisfaction of demand from the public.
The FCCPA establishes a Consumer Protection Tribunal to hear cases, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to promote and maintain competitive markets in the Nigerian economy and ensure welfare of consumers by providing consumers with product choices at competitive prices, among other functions that are ancillary and incidental to consumer protection and competition.
Emmanuel Chukwuma, Legal Adviser and Head of Compliance and Enforcement at the NCAA, observed that the new Act is a “legislative stamp” on the activities of the CPC, but portends serious danger for the aviation industry.
Chukwuma explained that the NCAA was established by the Act of Parliament in 2006, with Part 19 of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015 providing for consumer protection.
He added that the consumer protection conflict between NCAA and the CPC dated back to 2013 in a case involving Aero Contractor’s cancelled flight, where CPC intervened and charged the airlines to pay penalties in excess of N24 million in total.
“It showed their understanding of the industry but at that pace, no airline will survive in Nigeria. The new law is a legislative stamp on the activities of CPC. The President has signed it and it our law, but the implications are going to be very huge,” Chukwuma said.
Specifically, section 33 states that failure or refusal to attend a summon of the FCCPC amounts to an offense and liable upon conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, fine not more than N200 million, or both.
Section 51 empowers the tribunal to impose administrative penalties not exceeding 10 per cent of the undertaking’s annual turnover in Nigeria and its exports from Nigeria during the preceding financial year.
Chukwuma further said that the extra-territorial application of the FCCPA, even to operations outside Nigeria, contravenes Article 6 of the Chicago Convention and a section of the BASA agreement that made the relevant law as that applicable in the territory of operation.
He said though the Act recognised other government agencies, but gave the FCCPC precedence over and above other government agencies.
“In the light of these concerns, we intend to make our points known and seek serious review of the Act. NCC has reached us to partner with them. NAFDAC and others will join us, so as to make a strong representation to the FCCPC.”
Paul Oki, company secretary of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), added that there are technical agencies like NAMA that operate as a monopoly.
“The act is new and has to be tested. One of the challenges is who to report to in matters of consumer protections – either the NCAA or the FCCPC. I think it is time for lawyers to start getting familiar with how aviation works, to be able to advice consumer s appropriately,” Oki said.
News
NRC, Ponzi Scheme Collapses Resulting Loss of Billions of Naira

National Reading Culture (NRC), an online investment platform targeting Nigerians has collapsed, resulting in the loss of billions of Naira for investors.

The website unexpectedly shut down, blocking users from withdrawing their funds and locking in their investments.
Just like all other investment scams, victims were lured with promises of doubling their money in few weeks.
When National Reading Culture eventually crashed, the operators vanished with users’ funds, leaving investors devastated.
How the Platform WorkedTask-Based Earning:
According findings, National Reading Culture lured users with promises of making money by completing simple daily tasks like reading articles, clicking links, or inviting friends.
They also offered investment tiers to earn higher daily profits, where users had to deposit their own money into the platform.
Evidence showed the website previously operated as a Chinese job search platform before rebranding into an “earning” scheme.
News
NSITF Partners South African Insurer on Digital Transformation

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) to collaborate on digital transformation aimed at strengthening worker protection systems and support economic growth.

According to RMA, the agreement was concluded during a visit by its delegation to Abuja.
The partnership will focus on institutional capability development, modernising operating models, improving service delivery and sharing knowledge between the two organisations.
Through the partnership, RMA and NSITF will collaborate to strengthen institutional capability, modernise operating models, accelerate digital transformation and improve services for workers and employers.
The organisations will also explore opportunities for knowledge exchange and the adoption of best practices in social security administration.
RMA said the agreement forms part of its broader engagement with governments, regulators and social security institutions across Africa to support improvements in governance, operational resilience and service delivery.
“Our partnership with NSITF reflects much more than the signing of an agreement,” said Mandla Shezi, group chief executive officer of RMA. “This partnership is not simply about sharing knowledge. It is about co-creating the next generation of African social security systems.”
He added: “By combining our respective strengths, we can help build institutions that are more resilient, more responsive and better equipped to protect workers while supporting national development.”
Shezi said the future of social security depends on integrated systems where prevention, insurance, healthcare, rehabilitation, technology, investment management and institutional capability work together.
News
Senate Rejects Nationalisation of MTN, DStv Over Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

Senate on Tuesday rejected calls for the nationalisation of South African-owned companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and DStv, as a retaliatory measure against renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

The upper chamber, however, condemned the attacks and intimidation of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, urging the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure the safety of Nigerians living in the country.
The resolutions followed a motion titled: “Motion on the Need to Halt the Recurring Xenophobic Attacks and Intimidation Against Nigerians and Other African Nationals in the Republic of South Africa,” sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC-Cross River South).
The motion was triggered by renewed concerns over attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa following the expiration of a June 30, 2026 deadline reportedly issued by some vigilante groups asking foreigners to leave the country.
During the debate, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun proposed that South African companies operating in Nigeria should be nationalised, while Senator Adams Oshiomhole suggested that profits generated by South African firms could be appropriated to compensate Nigerians who suffered losses if the South African government failed to provide compensation.
Oshiomhole argued that Nigerians should not continue to bear the consequences of attacks against their businesses and lives while South African companies operating in Nigeria continued to make profits.
He said the government should consider using profits from affected companies to compensate victims if South Africa refused to address the losses suffered by Nigerians.
However, the Senate declined the proposal, opting instead for diplomatic engagement and further investigation into the attacks.
Presiding over plenary, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cautioned lawmakers against relying on unverified social media reports and urged a careful approach to the matter.
Jibrin said Nigeria must condemn attacks against its citizens but should allow relevant committees to complete their investigations before taking further actions.
He directed the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations to review previous resolutions on the matter and submit a report within two weeks.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, to obtain written assurances from South African authorities on the protection of Nigerians and demand the arrest and prosecution of persons responsible for violence, intimidation and looting.
The lawmakers further called for collaboration with other African countries and relevant continental institutions to establish effective mechanisms for monitoring and preventing xenophobic attacks.
Senator Ekpenyong had earlier raised concerns that the attacks were no longer limited to undocumented migrants but had extended to Nigerians with valid work and residence permits.
He described the situation as a threat to the dignity and safety of Nigerians abroad, urging the government to take stronger measures to protect citizens.
The Senate’s latest action comes amid renewed public anger over attacks targeting Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa, with lawmakers insisting that diplomatic solutions should be prioritised over economic retaliation.
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