The Coalition of Consumer Protection Champions (CCPC) calls on President Bola Tinubu consider the General Manager of Lagos State Consumer Protection Council (LASCOPA), Afolabi Solebo, for the vacant position of chief executive officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC).

Several Nigerian consumers and interested organisations appear eager to know President Bola Tinubu’s choice for the position of chief executive officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC).

Babatunde Irukera, an accomplished lawyer whom many have credited with restructuring the consumer protection agency, was recently removed from the position by the President. A salient point to take note of in President Tinubu’s statement of action is his recognition of the FCCPC’s critical role. He had mentioned that he had “plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies,” such as the FCCPC, to protect “the rights of Nigerian consumers” and provide “a strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation’s economy.”

In the president’s reckoning, FCCPC ranks among “growth-enabling institutions.” Nigerians therefore expect him to appoint a worthy, respectable, and experienced individual who will drive the FCCPC to greater heights in this dispensation of “Renewed Hope.”

Established by the FCCPC Act 2018, the agency sprouted from the defunct Consumer Protection Council (CPC) but with wider functions and oversights than the latter. The FCCPC Act makes it the main statute governing consumer protection and competition regulation in Nigeria. Therefore, further delay in appointing a new CEO for the agency definitely has some consequences for the business ecosystem and consumers too.

As stakeholders, the Coalition of Consumer Protection Champions (CCPC) wishes to nudge President Tinubu to the successes of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Council (LASCOPA) under its general manager, Afolabi Solebo. A lawyer and competition law expert, Solebo parades sterling public service records and accomplishments, thereby making him eligible to lead the FCCPC. A native of Ikorodu, Lagos State, Solebo bagged a Bachelor of Law degree in 1997 from the Lagos State University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001. Right from the inception of his civil service career in Lagos State, Solebo has worked more on the side of the people especially common Nigerians. He had served in the Lagos State Directorate for Citizens Rights; Directorate for Civil Litigation; Administrator of Peoples Advice Center, later rechristened Public Advice Center.

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His knowledge of the law came handy in the several cases he handled as a prosecutor in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. It is interesting to note that he excelled in all the cases he prosecuted in the High Court of Lagos, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. As the first Board Secretary and head of the legal unit of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Solebo’s contributions and outstanding advice offered remarkable impetus to sports development and administration at the time. Similarly, he held the position of Registrar, Land Use Charge Assessment Appeal Tribunal before he was appointed in 2020 to lead the LASCOPA. In addition, he has acquired professional training both locally and internationally in Mediation and Conciliation, Human Rights Development, Effective Public Prosecution and Defense, Forensic workshop on Crime Scene Management, Working for Peace in the midst of Conflict among others. This remarkable quest for knowledge saw him attended various courses in South Africa, United Kingdom and USA. The fecundity of Solebo’s mind drove LASCOPA’s growth and built public confidence in the agency. As part of the growth process and to drive inclusiveness and accessibility especially for the grassroots, the agency decided to set up five Liaison Offices in Ikorodu, Badagry, Bariga, Ikoyi-Obalende and Ojo and still plans to establish many more.

So far on his watch, the agency has handled 8,667 consumer complaints, out of which 8,343 were resolved successfully. Solebo has led LASCOPA’s interventions in various sectors and in situations bordering on breach of consumer trust, while also promoting an ethically-driven business atmosphere and a fair market. LASCOPA has resolved consumer issues in different markets such as automobile market, home appliances, hospitality, telecommunication, banking, property, e-commerce, transportation, fast moving consumer goods, and the energy sector. Based on the foregoing, the agency has recovered for consumers involved in issues with product manufacturers and service providers a whopping N309,578,550.59 and $30,250.49.

It also recovered N77,075,974.6 and N27,711,073.36 from two major power distribution companies on behalf of consumers. Not a few bank customers will attest to the effectiveness of the agency under Solebo for helping to recover the sums of N23,043,423.14 and $4,370.00 in failed bank transactions. The agency replicated the same feat in the insurance sector as it helped to reclaim the sum of N16,356,416 or unpaid dividends and premiums. With such remarkable records, President Tinubu need not look further in getting a capable hand to head the FCCPC as Solebo fits the bill.

In terms of leadership and managerial skills, expertise and experience, negotiation and conflict resolution skill, strong vision and critical thinking, integrity; you name it, Solebo ticks the boxes.

The Star