Subsidy Removal and Consumer Protection in Nigeria: The Need for a Proactive Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Towards Safeguarding the Consuming Public.

Introduction

Consumer protection laws play a crucial role in protecting the consuming public from being exploited by service and commodity

providers in Nigeria. On the 29th of May 2023, the removal of petroleum subsidy was announced; and this immediately contributed towards reducing the purchasing power of the consumers of not just petroleum products, but of other goods and services in Nigeria. Nevertheless, while this may be difficult for the consuming public, it is not outlandish to posit that providers of these goods and services are presented with an exploitative opportunity in that, they arguably are able to capitalize on the current economic environment to arbitrarily increase and alter their prices as well as be inconsistent with the standard of goods and services. Consequently, the need to take on a more proactive counter-exploitative stand by the Nigerian Government cannot be over emphasized; this commentary seeks to propose this.

A Commentary on the Transition and Role of the FCCPC

The primary legislation for the governance of Consumer protection in Nigeria is the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018. Importantly, the Act establishes the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) which is the regulatory body responsible for enforcing consumer protection laws, preventing unfair trade practices, and promoting fair competition in the market.


It is critical to note that in this subsidy removal transition period, a key concern for consumers is the potential price gouging and unfair pricing practices. Thus, considering one of the roles of the FCCPC is to ensure fair pricing and prevent exploitative practices, it is important for it to collaborate with other relevant agencies to actively monitor and enforce the application of regulations that require businesses to provide transparent pricing information and prevent price manipulation, protecting consumers from being subjected to unfair pricing practices.


Furthermore, beyond the pricing, consumer protection laws also cover the issue of quality and safety of goods and services. The FCCPC has the authority to establish and enforce standards for products, as well as carry out inspections and investigations to ensure compliance. This becomes particularly important in this subsidy removal transition period in that the market dynamics have been impacted and could potentially lead to the influx of substandard or counterfeit products by persons looking to unduly maximize profit and take advantage of unsuspecting consumers looking to reduce their cost of living. As a result, it is suggested that the FCCPC intensify its efforts to counteract such occurrence and prevent the same from being prevalent as this will ensure that consumers are protected from substandard or unsafe products at this time.


Finally, added to the above is the fact that the consumer protection laws in Nigeria also emphasize the importance of consumer education and awareness. While the FCCPC has been seen in recent times to further this cause, it appears there is more work to be done. Particularly, there is need to aggressively promote the intimation of the consuming public of their rights and means of enforcing the same via the redress mechanisms ensured for under the laws. Again, this will also require or force the FCCPC to be active in ensuring increased access to the dispute resolution mechanisms and procedures it has at its disposal.


Conclusion

Overall, consumer protection laws in Nigeria serve as a vital safeguard for citizens. And with policy shifts such as the removal of petroleum subsidies which has a wider impact on the consumer dynamics, there is a need for the Nigerian government to create a much-needed balance in fairness between the consumers of goods and services in Nigeria and the providers of the same. By enforcing fair pricing, ensuring product quality, creating access to redress mechanisms, and promoting consumer education, the FCCPC plays a pivotal role in this regard. Nevertheless, it is enjoined to play are more proactive role in safeguarding the rights and interests of consumers in this subsidy transition phase.

May 30, 2025
1.0. INTRODUCTION Over the years, sports have evolved beyond the receptive games to be played for either leisure or regional competition to global commercial enterprises. With events such as the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the Olympics, one could argue for the gradual globalisation of sports. However, a deeper review of this process reveals the step-by-step adoption on technology and media in the said globalisation; and this in turn opens a whole world of issues around intricate productions involving intellectual property, sponsorships, media rights, and extensive contractual framework. What appears onscreen on-demand, is underpinned by meticulously crafted legal and business arrangements that enable cross border entertainment, while also embracing innovation, and advancement of commercial value as well as the mechanism for its protection. This article will comment on lifecycle of sports media and branding rights, providing a legal and commercial roadmap for international stakeholders, with a core mention of Nigerian legal framework. 1.1. The Games Before The Game: Where Rights Begin A sporting event seen on screen represents a combination and intersection of rights, agreements, and negotiations established long before the game itself. Elements such as match footage, player imagery, and pitch-side ads are meticulously claimed, licensed, or sold by stakeholders ranging from governing bodies like FIFA and CAF to individual clubs and players. Governing bodies like Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) or Confederation of African Football (CAF) often control broadcasting rights and official branding; Clubs handle their trademarks and merchandising, while players, depending on the jurisdiction and their contracts, may retain significant control over image use. In Nigeria, these rights are governed primarily by the Copyright Act 2022, the Trademarks Act, and general contract law. Globally, the WIPO Draft Broadcasting Organizations Treaty seeks to provide unified protection against transnational piracy, though its implementation remains pending. While legislation is germane, the allocation of rights determines visibility, which in turn dictates commercial value. For example, a sponsor may invest significant resources for their brand to appear prominently on a player’s jersey; if the broadcaster’s camera angles fail to display this placement effectively, disputes may arise over liability, highlighting the complexity of coordinating rights and visibility. 1.2. Broadcasting: The Soul of Sports Economics Broadcasting rights, legal licenses, which grant entities the authority to record, transmit, and distribute sporting events across television, radio, and digital plat- forms, form the backbone of the sports economy. These rights influence how and where sports are consumed, and more importantly, who profits from them. Broadcasting deals often determine the visibility of a sport or league. A single contract can propel a domestic competition to international fame or render it virtually invisible. Broadcasting contracts typically divide rights by territory, impose exclusivity, and adhere to strict timeline. SuperSport’s exclusive broadcasting rights for the English Premier League in Nigeria exemplify how market power and legal exclusivity intersect and give an indication of the high stakes involved. The high stakes of these deals invite fierce legal battles. Unauthorised broadcasting — even a short clip aired by a local station — can trigger swift legal action: injunctions, takedown notices, and litigation under intellectual property and broadcasting regulations. Nigerian courts are increasingly proactive in addressing violations, issuing in- junctions and damages to safeguard broadcasting rights. This was clear in the cases of Nigerian Copyright Commission v. Joseph Daomi (1) and Nigerian Copyright Commission v. Stanley Nwankwo (2) where the accused were both convict- ed for the illegal distribution of a broadcast signal. Notwithstanding these strides, the digital age has further complicated enforcement. Pirated content spreads rapidly through social media and messaging apps, outpacing legal remedies. Even the most robust broadcasting contracts may falter when faced with jurisdictional challenges or technological barriers. 1.3. The Screen as a Billboard-Sponsorship Rights and Deals Sponsorships are where legal rights and commercial branding meet. Imagine a football match with no logos, branded kits, or digital billboards — it would look almost unfamiliar. Sponsorships transform the broadcast screen into prime advertising opportunities. Sponsors don’t pay to support the game per se; they pay for visibility — to have their brand appear on screen, in post-match highlights, and across social media. Consequently, sponsorship contracts are heavily negotiated, and often include exclusivity clauses- preventing rival brands from sharing screen space-, morality clauses- allowing termination if an athlete damages the brand’s reputation- and 0n-screen guarantee clauses- ensuring brand visibility during key moments. Legal disputes may arise when a player’s personal sponsorship conflicts with the team or league’s official sponsors. These cases often require arbitration or court intervention to interpret competing contractual obligations. 1.4. Protection and exploitation of Image Rights: An Athlete’s Brand As athletes gain popularity, their image rights become valuable assets, especially when it comes to sports broadcasting and sponsorship deals. Athletes are no longer just competitors; they are influencer, brands, and public figures. Image rights — the legal right to control the commercial use of one’s identity — encompass name, likeness, signature, voice, and other personal at- tributes. 1. Trademark Registration Athletes can register their name, logo, or signature as trademarks under the Nigerian Trademarks Act.(3) This grants them exclusive commercial rights and legal recourse against unauthorised use. 2. Passing Off Under Nigerian common law, an athlete can sue for “passing off” where their image is used without consent in a way that causes reputational or financial harm. However, for such claim to succeed, they must show goodwill, misrepresentation, and damage (see NOKIA Corp v. Intercellular Nigeria Ltd ).(4) 3. Contractual Protections Image rights agreements which are sophisticated in nature often accompany endorsement and sponsorship deals, setting out the way and manner in which an athlete’s likeness can be used, as well as the duration. 2.0 Challenges and Emerging Legal Questions As the sports industry evolves, so do legal challenges. Key recurring questions include: Who owns broadcast footage — the league, broadcaster, or athlete? And to what extent does this ownership lie? How should courts resolve conflicts between personal image rights and league broadcasting rules? What remedies exist for athletes whose images are exploited online with- out consent? A limitation to image rights still lingers, while copyright under the Copyright Act 2022 protects original works like photographs and videos, it does not ex- tend to personal identity. For example, a photo of an athlete is owned by the photographer, not the athlete — unless transferred. 3.0 Conclusion In Nigeria and beyond, sports are no longer just about goals and glory, it has mutated into a high-stakes legal arena involving complex rights, cross-border contracts, and millions in sponsorship and broadcasting revenue. Whether it’s a shaky Facebook Live stream, a branded jersey, or a player’s endorsement deal, every piece of the game is backed by a legal contract. For stakeholders — athletes, sponsors, broadcasters, and regulators — under- standing and enforcing these rights is critical. While Nigeria’s legal framework is still evolving, robust use of intellectual property law, contract law, and com- mon law principles can offer meaningful protection. 55 NIPJD [FHC, 2012] MKD/CR/38 55 NIPJD [FHC, 2012] ABJ/CR/14/2011 Cap T13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (2003) 12 v Pt 836, 22