Ogun State Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria holds 2026 World Consumer Rights Day at Rite Foods Limited, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode with facility tours

 

(L-R) Sola Salako-Ajulo, Founder CAFON, Olufemi Ajileye of Rite Foods, Dr. Tinuola Akinnubi of NAFDAC, Mr. Dan Obi, Chairman, BJAN and Dr. Olubunmi Otti of FCCPC, at the BJAN’s Consumer Day event hosted by Rites Foods Ltd, at its Ososa factory, 

By allcitynews.ng 

That the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) has come and gone, that Rite Foods Limited hosted Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) that day, may no longer be  news to stakeholders in Manufacturing sector or Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) industry, but the lessons derived from  the event would take very long time to be fade away from participants.

As members of BJAN known for upholding ethical reporting and consumer  protection thereby sustaining the bridge between consumers,  regulators, left the Lagos Head office of Rite  Foods Limited, at Opebi Street,  Ikeja, on  the Friday, March 2026  to the factory at Ososa, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode office, Ogun State 

The journey was supported by the company to mark the 10th edition of the annual World Consumer Rights Day (2026 WCRD), which ordinarily ought to  take place on 15th of  March, but,  according to BJAN Chairman, Daniel Obi, took place  on Friday March 13 as "the date, March  15 is on Sunday."

During the tour,  participants saw the stages which famous drinks from the company normally take before they leave the factory and gets to the final tables of consumers.

In a chat with allcitynews.ng, during the tour, the Production Manager, Olufemi Ajileye, said the sample of each product, including the water, is regularly sent to the global assessment body to ensure standardisation at all  times.

Founder, Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON)

The 2026 WCRD, hosted by RIte Foods Limited also had National Agency For Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Consumer Competition Protection Commission (FCCPC) in attendance.

Earlier, the General Manager of Operation, Rite Foods Limited, Mr. Olufemi Ajileye, had, while addressing the participants,  stressed that the company, fully in tune with consumers' rights always  insists producing safe and high-quality products for Nigerians that can compete with global standards.

He disclosed that every year, the company sends samples of their water abroad to ensure its safety against heavy metals and other contaminants, adding that they work with trusted vendors and operate some of the best equipment sourced internationally.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of BJAN, Mr. Daniel Obi reiterated that Brand Journalists occupy a unique and critical ecosystem between regulators, manufacturers and consumers.

While in Rite Foods facility, Obi pointed out that “As brand journalists, our responsibility goes beyond reporting what brands say about themselves. We are the bridge between brands and what consumers understand about the products they buy.

“Today, by standing inside this facility, we are doing exactly what this profession entails by getting close to the truth and bringing the public with us."

According to Obi, today’s event amongst others, reaffirms BJAN’s commitment to consumer education and accountability journalism, he added.

On her part, the Director-General for National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, commended BJAN for the yearly celebration of WCRD, as the event always serve as reminder, that consumers are not passive participants in the market place but central stakeholders as well.

NAFDAC, DG,  who was represented by Deputy Director, Food Regulation, Focal Point for Alcohol, NAFDAC, Dr. Tinuola Akinnubi, reiterated that protecting the consumer is not only a responsibility of the regulators but also a shared responsibility by all stakeholders.

According to her, “Consumers must demand good services at all times adding that journalists must move beyond discussions into commitment to report facts."

Moreover Adeyeye reassured NAFDAC’s position of ensuring that no product that compromises public health thrives in the country.

On a concluding note, she said: “Let industry prioritize compliance over profit margins and safety over shortcuts. Let the media amplify facts over sensationalism. A protected consumer is a confident consumer. A confident consumer strengthens markets. And strong markets build strong economies of nations”.

On her part, the Founder, Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), Hon. Sola Salako-Ajulo, made a compelling case for the adoption of artificial intelligence as a practical tool for strengthening consumer confidence in Nigeria, arguing that the country’s consumer protection challenge is not a legislative problem but an awareness and enforcement problem.

Armed with a well-researched paper, Mrs. Sola Salako-Ajulo who has been a vocal voice and strong advocate for consumers for over two decades reiterated the need to get Nigerians know their rights against ‘abusive’ tendencies by service providers.

Mrs Sola Salako-Ajulo stressed, "When we talk about consumer protection in Nigeria, we often speak in legal language — policies, regulations, enforcement frameworks, and complaint statistics. But consumerism goes beyond the law but having awareness by consumers and enforcement of the law governing the rights of consumers.

She further disclosed how her organization designed an AI powered platform called CAFON Consumers Companion (3C).

3C, she noted, understands Nigeria consumer rights and is designed to answer issues associated with consumer rights and how to demand for them.

While observing that consumer protection is a responsibility of all in the value chain, Mrs. Salako-Ajulo called on all consumers to educate themselves on their rights.

Her paper was titled: Understanding the Challenges, Progress, and Strategic Pathways for Nigerian Consumers in 2026.

Likewise,  the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of Federal Consumer Competition Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Tunji Bello, who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator for the South West, Dr. Olubunmi Otti,  admitted that holding the event at a production facility was particularly fitting.

"Being around where production takes place allows us to see where the journey of many consumer products begins. It is at this stage that safety standards, quality controls and compliance procedures are applied and monitored,” he noted.

Mr. Bello, said that the global observance of the event on March 15 provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting consumers while strengthening trust in the marketplace even as he explained that when consumers are well informed and adequately protected, markets function more efficiently and businesses are able to grow in a stable and predictable environment.

Referencing his remarks in the agency mandate under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, Mr. Bello said: “Under Section 114 of the Act, businesses are required to provide consumers with clear, accurate and understandable information about goods and services, including pricing information, product labelling and proper trade descriptions so that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions,” he explained.

Furthermore, Bello pointed out that “Compliance with safety standards is not just a regulatory obligation. It is an investment in consumer trust and long-term brand credibility."

He acknowledged Rite Foods for opening its facility to BJAN and stakeholders for the tour.

The theme of this year’s WCRD, which was “Safe Products, Confident Consumers," is aimed at ensuring consumer safety by promoting the removal of hazardous products from the market, fostering trust in goods, and highlighting shared responsibility among governments and businesses for consumer protection.

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