Mr. Muyiwa Ayojimi, CEO of Consumertrics, a leading consumer advocacy and consulting firm, has urged Nigerian manufacturers to ensure that they balance their rights with those of the consumers.
Ayojimi made the call when he spoke at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria’s (MAN) quarterly webinar, themed “Balancing the Equation Between Consumer Protection and Manufacturers’ Rights.”
The lawyer and consumer champion, Ayojimi, said that, by aligning consumer protection with their own rights, manufacturers would be able to “to foster a fair and sustainable economic environment.”
“It is important that manufacturers make Consumer Protection a strategic priority rather than a symbolic effort. I urge manufacturers to invest in meaningful initiatives that benefit consumers, build and sustain consumer trust in a transparent matter that would engender reliability,” Ayojimi said.
He also urged the manufacturers’ association to ensure compliance to regulations while they “make effort to enhance accountability in their operations.”
Equally, Ayojimi advised manufacturers to promote their own rights, including the Right to innovate, Protection of Intellectual Property (IP), Right to fair regulation, and Right to limit liability.
He urged manufacturers to “shape policies that strike a balance between consumer protection and manufacturers’ interests”, establish a “Manufacturers’ Rights Day” and to promote fair practices, safety, and innovation.
Additionally, Ayojimi stated when manufacturers “foster an equitable relationship between consumer and manufacturer rights”, such will “ensure a thriving, fair, and sustainable marketplace that benefits all stakeholders.”
In his own remarks, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General, MAN, called for caution, saying that some manufacturers have become victims of instances where some consumers had made spurious claims regarding product failure.
“I would like to emphasise the principle of fairness.
“It therefore behoves all of us to ensure that allegations of untoward manufacturing practices or consumer complaints claims of are done within the confines of the law.
“I believe that through open dialogue and collaboration, we can work towards finding innovative ways to promote consumer trust and confidence, while ensuring manufacturers operate responsibly,” he said.
On her part, Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbe, Chairman, Corporate Affairs and Strategic Planning Committee, MAN, urged consistent engagement to address challenges facing manufacturer-consumer relationships.
