From Cart to Court: Realities of Online Shopping. A Look into Consumer Protection and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Oversight in Nigeria.

AbstractOnline shopping has become a major contributor to Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital economy, evolving from a modern convenience into a daily norm for millions of consumers. This has given rise to many digital storefronts, spanning from major platforms like Jumia and Konga to informal social media vendors. With the rise of online shopping came a corresponding increase in consumer complaints concerning deceptive advertising, ambiguous return and refund policies, unfair contract terms, unauthorized data collection, and breaches of privacy. This transformation has not gone unnoticed by regulators. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has become increasingly active in addressing the challenges of Nigeria’s e-commerce landscape.

By issuing compliance directives, mandating consumer redress, and sanctioning errant digital platforms, the FCCPC has asserted its role as a watchdog for consumer welfare in the online commercial landscape. This article examines the legal and regulatory architecture governing the complexities of online shopping in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the FCCPC’s oversight functions. It analyses key statutory instruments, recent enforcement efforts, and the broader limitations of the current legal and institutional frameworks. Additionally, it considers the growing responsibility of online platforms to uphold consumer trust and outlines how legal practitioners can support regulatory compliance and consumer advocacy in this evolving digital marketplace.