The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has commenced operations at annex offices across strategic locations in Lagos State, in a move designed to bring consumer protection services closer to residents and improve access to redress.
The General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, Esq., stated that the establishment of the annex offices demonstrates the agency’s commitment to strengthening consumer protection mechanisms and ensuring that consumers can conveniently access its services without travelling long distances.
According to Solebo, the decentralisation of LASCOPA’s operation is aimed at enhancing service delivery, facilitating the prompt resolution of consumer complaints, and deepening public awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities across the State.
“The establishment of these annex offices reflects the commitment of the Lagos State Government to protecting consumers and promoting fair trade practices. We are bringing our services closer to the people to ensure that every consumer has easy access to redress mechanisms and consumer education,” he said.
Solebo said over the last two years, the agency has established functional annex offices in Ikorodu and Badagry Local Government Areas, as well as Bariga and Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
Additional offices have now been opened in Ojo, Epe, and Agege Local Government Areas, and Isolo LCDA, further extending consumer protection services to grassroots communities across the State.
The General Manager noted that consumers who experience unfair trade practices, defective or hazardous products, substandard services, misleading advertisements, or other forms of consumer rights violations can now visit the nearest annex office to lodge complaints and seek appropriate intervention.
He further stated that the agency provides advocacy, mediation, and consumer education across various sectors, including electricity distribution, e-commerce and online marketing, automobile services, education, food and beverages, logistics and courier services, healthcare, housing, retail stores and supermarkets, banking and finance, hospitality, insurance, telecommunications, transportation, fashion and beauty services, furniture and household goods, interior and exterior decoration, as well as oil and gas services.
Solebo encouraged residents to take advantage of the expanded access points to report consumer-related issues and obtain information on their rights and responsibilities under existing consumer protection laws.
He reaffirmed that LASCOPA remains committed to safeguarding consumer interests, promoting ethical business practices, and fostering a fair, transparent, and competitive marketplace in Lagos State.
Consumers who are unable to visit the agency’s head office or any annex office can also reach LASCOPA through its official communication channels.
