PROMOTING CONSUMER EDUCATION

BY
ALFRED AJAYI

Many Nigerians have suffered in the hands of unfeeling sellers and those who render different services, with the ultimate aim of making profit at the detriment of the consumers. Many times, they buy products or receive services that fail to perform according to the claims of the sellers about their efficacy. Some languish in silence not knowing what to do as they helplessly watch their money going down the drain. This is because a good number of Nigerians are not aware of the laws meant to safeguard their rights as consumers which give them Privilege of seeking redress when these rights are infringed upon. Realizing the fact that uninformed consumer cannot be properly protected, a body was created by the Federal Government to sensitize consumers on their rights and responsibilities as well as how to insist on these rights.
It is also to promote and protect the consumers as well as check the scourge of consumer abuse in Nigerian markets. So the law establishing the body gives certain rights to the consumers including the rights to be satisfied with goods and services sold or rendered to them as well as are protected from hazardous ones. They are also entitled to adequate information about products and services they want as this will assist them in making correct choices. Consumers are equally empowered by this law, to seek redress when any goods and services fail to perform their acclaimed functions. However, these rights are not without some responsibilities as the consumers are expected to think independently and speak out or complain when their rights are violated. It is also their responsibility to be ethical, beware and aware of all necessary information that will aid them in making rights choices. It is however sad to note that these rights are infringed upon with impunity everyday across the country because those who are supposed to enjoy them do not even know about them, let alone demand for such rights. The economic implications of this are enormous on the country as millions of naira is lost on goods and services that do not have the efficacy to give value for money.
It is on this note that the recent decision of the Consumer Protection Agency to include consumer education in the primary and secondary school curricular is lauded. The initiative will help in educating the young growing generation and inculcating in them the right attitude towards buying and selling. It will also reduce the huge losses occasioned by ineffective products and services and this will have a multiplier effect on national economy. Nevertheless, awareness must be intensified across the country to sensitize the citizens especially those in the rural areas on their rights and how to protect them. Materials for sensitization campaign must be produced in other local languages apart from Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. The last quarter of the year is a season of boom for importation of goods into the country and efforts must be made by relevant authorities to ascertain the quality of products being imported. It is therefore imperative that they tighten up the nation’s borders to ensure that inferior goods that are hazardous to human health are not allowed in.


On their part, Nigerians are challenged to report violation of their rights to the government and seek redress to discourage those who smile on daily basis to the bank with the proceeds from the sale of fake and adulterated goods and services. This is because if this evil is swept under the carpet, it will encourage the evil doers to continue in their dastardly practice and the nation’s economy will be worse for it.

Source: Recorded from FRCN daily Commentaries.