Rethinking Product Safety in Nigeria on World Consumer Rights Day

What does product safety really mean? When does it begin? Who is responsible for it?

These were the questions at the heart of Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF)’s World Consumer Rights Day social media campaign, which ran from the 9th to the 13th of March 2026. Under this year’s global theme, Safe Products, Confident Consumers, we took the conversation directly to Nigerian consumers across our digital platforms because the marketplace is changing fast, and consumer awareness must keep up with the pace.

The campaign challenged the misconception that product safety is something that happens at the point of sale. It does not. Safety begins at the design stage, long before a product reaches a shelf or an online cart, and it does not end when the purchase is made. From design and production to distribution and use, every stage carries implications for consumer safety. Yet, many consumers only begin to think about safety after a product has already reached them.

In December 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 80/119, establishing the first-ever United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, which revealed that roughly 44% of UN Member States still lack adequate consumer safety regulations.

Even more concerning is the digital gap. The United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) findings show that 87% of recalled items remain accessible via online platforms. In a market like Nigeria, where e-commerce is booming, these statistics highlight a significant vulnerability for the everyday shopper.

Over the course of the week, we broke this down into three clear areas: what safety by design means and why it matters, what every consumer needs to know about their rights, and how to seek redress when their consumer rights are violated.

Beyond raising awareness, the campaign aimed to address consumer behaviour. Consumers were encouraged to ask better questions, read product labels more critically, and understand their rights within the marketplace.

The week may have ended, but the conversation has not. At CADEF, we remain committed to building a marketplace where consumers are not just participants in the market, but active drivers of accountability and change.

Partner with us to advocate for stronger consumer protection policies.