An Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Consumer Rights Protection in E-Commerce Transactions in Nigeria

Abstract

There are several conversations concerning business and technological advancements and their effect on information technology. One of such technological advancement is the Internet, which has enabled electronic commerce transaction, also known as online shopping, the leading choice for business transactions, particularly in the retail sector. However, the advent of e-commerce has introduced entirely new dynamics that have made many existing legal standards outdated and insufficient. In response, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) was established in 2018 by the FCCP Act as the apex institution for consumer protection in Nigeria with the mandate to eliminate anti-competitive agreements, and misleading, unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable marketing, trading, and business practices. Despite its activities, most Nigerians are skeptical towards the entire process, particularly in the light of evolving market dynamics, technological advancement, and corporate consolidation. Hence, this study examined the effectiveness of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on consumer rights protection in e-commerce transactions in Nigeria and scrutinize the inherent challenges in the judicial processes for resolving disputes surrounding consumer right protection in e-commerce transactions in Nigeria. through a comparative study of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the South African National Consumer Commission (NCC) among some others. The study found that the FCCPC’s effectiveness in safeguarding consumer rights during e-commerce transactions in Nigeria is significantly inadequate, as various fragmented legal and institutional frameworks oversee the multiple facets involved.