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4 clusters · 22 sources · 12 days · First seen · Last updated

FCCPC regulatory oversight in Nigeria

Overview

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has intensified its oversight of various sectors in Nigeria to protect consumer interests. In the bakery and confectionery industry, the commission has urged operators to improve food safety, hygiene, and labeling accuracy. During a stakeholder engagement in Lagos, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello called for comprehensive reviews of ingredients and traceability protocols. This follows alarms from food safety experts regarding the illegal use of potassium bromate, a banned carcinogenic bread improver. Research from the University of Lagos indicated the presence of bromate in wheat flour and finished bread, with some products being falsely labeled as ‘bromate-free’ or remaining unregistered with NAFDAC.

Expanding its regulatory scope, the FCCPC has launched a formal investigation into potential price manipulation within the cement market. A 40-page report by the commission’s Anticompetitive Practices Department suggests that cement prices remain high despite substantial limestone deposits and a reported surplus production capacity. While domestic consumption is approximately 25–30 million metric tonnes, the installed production capacity exceeds 60 million metric tonnes.

The probe specifically examines the three largest producers—Dangote Cement Plc, BUA Cement Plc, and HBM Nigeria—noting that these companies reported a combined profit after tax exceeding ₦1.17 trillion for the first half of 2026. During this period, the price of a 50kg bag of cement rose from roughly ₦9,300–₦9,700 in January to as high as ₦15,000 in some locations by July. Investigators are examining whether energy costs and currency depreciation justify the hikes, or if companies have engaged in coordinated pricing and restricted supply.

Entities

Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission · Tunji Bello · Nigeria · University of Lagos · Dangote Cement Plc

Timeline

  1. 6 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    FCCPC investigates Nigerian cement manufacturers over price manipulation

    Nigeria's FCCPC is investigating major cement manufacturers for suspected price manipulation after retail prices surged despite a massive domestic production surplus.

  2. 10 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 10 sources
    FCCPC probes Nigeria's cement industry over suspected price manipulation

    The FCCPC is investigating Nigeria's cement industry for suspected price manipulation after prices rose despite excess production capacity and abundant limestone resources.

  3. 13 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 9 sources
    FCCPC investigates cement price manipulation in Nigeria

    Nigeria’s FCCPC has uncovered potential cement price manipulation and warned bakery operators against compromising product quality or safety due to rising economic costs.

  4. 17 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    FCCPC urges Nigerian bakery operators to improve food safety and compliance

    The FCCPC and food safety experts are demanding stricter compliance in Nigeria's bakery sector following reports of illegal potassium bromate use and poor hygiene practices.

Sources

bentelevision.com · bizwatchnigeria.ng · blueprint.ng · businessday.ng · championnews.com.ng · fccpc.gov.ng · ghanamma.com · insidebusiness.ng · naijanews.com · nairametrics.com · nannews.ng · newsnowonline.com.ng · oasismagazine.com.ng · primanews.org · punchng.com · riotimesonline.com · thecitizenng.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · thenews-chronicle.com · thepodiummedia.com · thisdaylive.com · tribuneonlineng.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history