By Adeola Shittu
In a city as fast-paced and commercially vibrant as Lagos, where daily transactions power livelihoods and dreams, the line between trust and exploitation can sometimes blur. Yet, in the middle of this complex marketplace, one agency has steadily emerged as a shield for the ordinary consumer and an arbiter of fairness for businesses—the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA).
At the forefront of this transformation is its General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, ESQ whose leadership has redefined the agency’s visibility, accessibility, and impact in recent years.
Speaking during the 2026 edition of World Consumer Rights Day, Solebo did not mince words about the realities facing consumers in Nigeria. But beyond highlighting the challenges, his message carried something more powerful—a clear demonstration that consumer justice is not only possible but already happening at scale.
From Policy to People: A New Face of Consumer Protection
For many years, consumer protection in Nigeria was often perceived as distant—something that existed more in policy documents than in everyday life. Complaints were made, but resolutions were slow, unclear, or entirely absent.
That narrative is changing.
Under Solebo’s administration, LASCOPA has evolved into a responsive, results-driven institution that bridges the gap between regulation and real-life consumer experiences. His approach has been simple but effective: bring the agency closer to the people and ensure that every complaint counts.
“The question is not whether problems exist,” Solebo noted during his remarks. “The question is what we are doing about them.”
Delivering Real Results Across Sectors
What distinguishes LASCOPA’s current trajectory is not just advocacy, but measurable outcomes. Consumers across Lagos have shared testimonials of successful resolutions: Individuals who purchased goods online but did not receive them have, with LASCOPA’s intervention, received their products or refunds. A woman who bought a television that turned out to be faulty was able to secure a replacement after months of unresolved attempts, thanks to LASCOPA’s mediation.
When complaints are lodged, LASCOPA acts quickly, sending directives to the companies or individuals involved, scheduling meetings, and inviting clients to participate in the resolution process. The result: timely and fair settlements.
According to reports shared at the event by the representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Trade, LASCOPA has helped recover millions of naira in goods and funds for both consumers and businesses. This efficiency has made the mere mention of LASCOPA in Lagos a prompt for quick action by companies.
A Human-Centered Approach to Justice
One of the defining features of LASCOPA under Solebo is its human-centered approach. Rather than treating complaints as mere files, the agency treats them as lived experiences—stories of individuals seeking fairness.
At several outreach events, individuals step forward to share their experiences. These are not scripted testimonials, but real accounts from people who have benefited from the agency’s intervention: A small business owner recovering funds lost in a failed supply deal. A young professional whose disputed online purchase was resolved. And consumers receiving timely refunds or replacements for defective products.
In each story, a pattern emerges: access, responsiveness, and resolution.
Bridging the Gap Between Consumers and Businesses
Interestingly, LASCOPA’s success is not limited to consumers alone. Businesses, too, have found value in the agency’s approach.
By creating a structured platform for dispute resolution, LASCOPA helps businesses address complaints before they escalate into reputational crises. It provides clarity, mediation, and, in many cases, an opportunity for brands to rebuild trust.
This balanced approach—protecting consumers while engaging businesses—has positioned the agency as a neutral ground where fairness prevails.
During one of the panel sessions at the event, moderated by Dr. Olubunmi Dorcas Otti, discussions highlighted how regulatory bodies, when proactive and accessible, can significantly reduce friction in the marketplace.
The consensus was clear: effective consumer protection is not about punishment alone, but about creating systems that encourage compliance, transparency, and accountability.
Tackling the Digital Consumer Era
With the rise of e-commerce, online services, and digital transactions, new forms of consumer vulnerability have emerged. LASCOPA has stepped in to ensure complaints related to these modern business models are addressed promptly.
Cases involving unfulfilled online orders, defective products, or delayed refunds have been resolved through the agency’s intervention—offering relief to affected consumers and restoring trust in the digital marketplace.
A Brief History, A Renewed Vision
Established to protect consumer rights and ensure fair trade practices in Lagos State, LASCOPA has always had a critical mandate. However, its impact has grown significantly with leadership that prioritizes execution.
Under Solebo, the agency has embraced visibility, engagement, and accountability as core pillars. From public awareness campaigns to stakeholder collaborations, LASCOPA is no longer operating in the background—it is actively shaping the consumer landscape.
Awareness as the First Line of Defense
While enforcement and resolution remain key, Solebo continues to emphasize one critical element: awareness.
“An informed consumer is the first line of defense against exploitation. Consumer protection is a shared responsibility. When you see something, say something.”
Through campaigns, media engagement, and public forums, LASCOPA is encouraging Nigerians to ask questions, read terms, verify transactions, and speak up when needed.
As Lagos continues to expand as a commercial hub, the role of consumer protection will only become more critical. The volume of transactions will increase, new business models will emerge, and the need for trust will grow.
In this evolving landscape, LASCOPA’s trajectory under Afolabi Solebo offers a compelling case study in what is possible when policy meets purpose.
The agency is not just resolving disputes—it is reshaping expectations.
For consumers, it represents hope and access. For businesses, it signals accountability. And for the broader system, it demonstrates that with the right leadership, institutions can deliver real value.
In the end, the story of LASCOPA is not just about regulation—it is about people. Everyday people whose voices are now being heard, whose losses are being addressed, and whose trust in the system is gradually being restored.
And in a marketplace where trust is everything, that may be the most important transformation of all.