The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has inaugurated a joint inter-agency committee to develop a digital traceability portal aimed at combating counterfeit products and enhancing supply chain transparency in Nigeria. The initiative will assign unique QR codes to products, allowing consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and regulators to verify authenticity and track product origin.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Kola Alabi, Executive Commissioner of Corporate Services at FCCPC, emphasized the commission’s commitment to reducing counterfeiting through collaborative efforts with key stakeholders. The committee includes representatives from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, National Orientation Agency, and the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration.
The FCCPC noted that this effort aligns with its mandate under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, which seeks to promote fair market practices and protect consumers from deceptive trade. The digital traceability portal is expected to bring about greater accountability in Nigeria’s product markets by enabling real-time authentication and enhancing consumer trust.
