The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has initiated a sweeping investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), MTN Nigeria, and Air Peace over widespread consumer complaints.
The inquiry, set to begin on December 3, 4, and 5, aims to address concerns about poor service delivery, exploitative practices, and potential violations of consumer rights.

FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, announced the investigation in a statement on Sunday, emphasizing the Commission’s commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring market accountability.
GTBank will be probed over numerous reports of network failures that have left customers unable to access their funds or use banking applications.

MTN Nigeria faces scrutiny for persistent complaints of undelivered data services, unexplained data depletion, and inadequate customer support.
Air Peace will address allegations of exploitative ticket pricing, particularly concerning significant price hikes for advance bookings on certain domestic routes.
The FCCPC stated that the investigations are being conducted under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, citing Sections 17, 18, 32, 33, 80, 110, 111, 112, and 113.
These sections empower the Commission to investigate practices that undermine consumer rights, distort markets, or create unfair competition.

The inquiries aim to provide a platform for resolving consumer grievances, clarifying business practices, and enforcing compliance with regulatory standards.
The Commission has mandated the companies to appear before it on designated dates to provide information and responses to the allegations.

“This action reflects the FCCPC’s dedication to safeguarding consumer rights, fostering a fair marketplace, and ensuring accountability across key sectors,” Ijagwu said.

Consumers are encouraged to continue reporting instances of poor service delivery or exploitative practices through FCCPC’s official channels to aid in the ongoing investigations.

A devastating fire swept through a spare parts market in the Idumota area of Lagos State on Friday night, destroying properties worth hundreds of millions of naira.
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.
He reported that multiple buildings housing car spare parts shops were engulfed by the blaze, which began around 10:20 p.m.
“Following distress calls via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines, LASEMA activated its Emergency Response Teams from Lekki, Cappa, and Alausa,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

Emergency responders, including LASEMA’s Shark and Tiger Response Teams, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Federal Fire Service, worked together to contain the inferno. Their swift response prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings.

While the cause of the fire remains unknown, no casualties or injuries were reported. “Dampening down” operations have commenced to eliminate remaining hot spots, and salvage efforts to recover valuable goods are ongoing.

Law enforcement agencies were on-site to manage the crowd and ensure safety during the firefighting and recovery operations.

The incident is a significant blow to traders, many of whom lost their entire stock of goods. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but affected traders are now left counting their losses, with hopes pinned on further recovery efforts.

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has commended the Nigerian civil service for its pivotal role in implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative macro-economic reforms.

Speaking at the launch of the Federal Civil Service Policies and Guidelines and a ceremony marking Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack’s 100 days in office as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Edun commended civil servants for their dedication and professionalism.
Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga quoted Edun to have highlighted the importance of the civil service, saying, “Your competence, discipline, and determination on the job are the backbone of successful implementation of all policy initiatives, objectives, and programmes of the Federal Government.”

Edun reflected on the government’s reform agenda, including the removal of fuel subsidies, acknowledging the initial challenges but emphasizing the benefits.
He revealed that the reforms had freed resources equivalent to 5% of Nigeria’s GDP for reinvestment in critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

The Minister also outlined a shift in Nigeria’s economic model from dependence on rent-seeking to value creation, identifying agriculture, manufacturing, and exports as key drivers of growth.
He highlighted the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to expand Nigeria’s trade footprint across Africa.

“The country is undergoing a transformative shift. The opportunities now favour those who use their skills, knowledge, and energy to drive economic growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty,” he stated.
Edun underscored the central role of the civil service in achieving the government’s ambitious economic goals. He praised Mrs. Walson-Jack’s leadership, describing her agenda as a blueprint for a modern, technology-driven civil service aligned with the administration’s objectives.

Mrs. Walson-Jack, in her remarks, reiterated her commitment to repositioning the civil service for optimal performance. She urged civil servants to uphold professionalism, meritocracy, and accountability in delivering the government’s vision for a better Nigeria.

The event highlighted the civil service’s critical role in ensuring the success of Nigeria’s transformation agenda, with renewed calls for dedication and innovation in public service.