Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned residents to remain alert during Easter celebrations to avoid financial exploitation and unsafe consumer practices. General Manager Afolabi Solebo urged Lagosians to be cautious amid heightened commercial activity, citing risks like price inflation, expired or substandard goods, and deceptive promotions. Consumers were advised to check expiry dates on food, beverages and pharmaceuticals, avoid unregistered vendors, and demand receipts for all purchases.
Solebo cautioned traders against unfair practices, noting that LASCOPA would increase monitoring in markets, malls and recreational spots over the festive period. Residents were encouraged to report violations via the agency's official channels. Online buyers were told to make payments only at delivery and to deal only with vendors who have physical offices in Lagos State. Solebo emphasized that while consumers have rights, they also bear responsibilities such as staying informed, making careful choices and speaking up against malpractice. LASCOPA reaffirmed its commitment to consumer safety and fair trade.
Afolabi Solebo's warning exposes how routinely Nigerians are forced to police their own consumer experiences, even during holidays. The fact that checking expiry dates or verifying vendor addresses must be spelled out suggests a market where basic safeguards are already assumed absent. For Lagosians, this isn't new guidance but a reflection of a system where compliance is the exception, not the rule. LASCOPA's presence during Easter won't fix a broken baseline — it just makes their enforcement look seasonal.
