Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The LASCOPA inspections have uncovered widespread violations of consumer protection laws after the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) inspected 663 supermarkets, pharmacies and retail outlets across the state in the first half of 2026.
The agency on Tuesday said 238 retail outlets violate provisions of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Law during inspections carried out between January and June across the state’s 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.
The enforcement exercise targets supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, shopping malls, markets and other retail businesses as part of efforts to eliminate fake, expired, hazardous and substandard products from the market.
Inspection teams conduct unannounced visits to verify product certification, examine production and expiry dates, assess storage conditions and confiscate products that fail to meet safety and quality standards.
Speaking on Tuesday, LASCOPA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Afolabi Solebo, says the operation reflects the agency’s statutory responsibility to protect consumers.
“Consumer safety is non-negotiable. We are sending a clear message to every operator in the retail value chain: if you trade in fake, expired, hazardous or substandard products and you’re caught, you will face the full wrath of the law,” Solebo says.
He reminds retailers that the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law, 2025 gives consumers the right to return defective goods and urges businesses to return expired or unsafe products to manufacturers or distributors rather than offering them for sale.
According to Solebo, businesses found selling counterfeit, expired or hazardous goods risk closure, seizure of products and prosecution under the law.
He also encourages consumers to remain vigilant by checking product labels, authenticity and expiry dates before making purchases and reporting suspicious products through the agency’s official complaint channels.
LASCOPA says it will continue routine inspections across Lagos to ensure only safe, high-quality products remain available to consumers.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Hussaini Ibrahim 