01/09/2026
GOODWILL MESSAGE DELIVERED BY Solomon Oyeniran AT THE STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT ON QUALITY SAFETY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY SECTOR ORGANISED BY FEDERAL COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMISSION FCCPC Nigeria SOUTH WEST ZONAL OFFICE.
THEME: Building Consumer Trust Through Quality and Safety: A Regulatory Compliance Mandate For Industry Operators.
Nigeria's bakery and confectionery market is no longer just about bread on the table. It has become a multi-billion dollar industry that reflects how we live, shop and eat. The market, valued at $4.16 billion in 2025, is projected to reach $7 billion by 2030, growing at 5.17% CAGR between 2026 and 2030.
What is driving this growth is familiar to all of us. More packaged foods in our homes, the rapid expansion of retail bakery chains, the rising craving for indulgent snacks, better cold chain and storage, and an urban lifestyle that demands convenience. At the same time, consumers are becoming more health-conscious. There is increased demand for healthier alternatives, sugar-reduced products, fortified bread, premium and functional bakery lines. E-commerce and modern food retailing have also opened new shelves for bakers who are ready to innovate.
With this growth comes a bigger responsibility. How do operators in this industry ensure that what they sell is safe, consistent and trustworthy?
Conforming to Regulatory Standards: What Responsible Players Do.
Consumer trust is not built by fine packaging alone. It is built by deliberate compliance. In Nigeria, credible bakery and confectionery operators build that trust through a clear compliance pathway:
1. Product Registration and Certification:
Responsible operators register their facilities and products with NAFDAC and obtain relevant Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) certifications such as MANCAP and SONCAP for imported ingredients. This is the basic license to operate and it tells the consumer the product has been vetted.
2. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hygiene:
From sourcing high-quality flour from partners like Flour Mills of Nigeria, to water treatment, personal hygiene of food handlers, pest control and sanitation of ovens and mixers, compliance is daily work. Many leading bakeries now adopt HACCP principles to identify and control hazards before they reach the consumer.
3. Truthful Labeling and Traceability:
Building trust means telling the truth on the label. Ingredients list, allergen information, manufacturing and expiry dates, batch numbers, storage condition and NAFDAC registration number must be accurate and readable. This allows for traceability when there is a complaint.
4. Investment in Technology and Quality Ingredients:
Growth is now focused on technological advancement to improve quality, innovate flavours and meet demand for convenient snacks. Operators who invest in automated mixing, controlled proofing, improved baking profiles and cold chain for creams and fillings reduce human error and keep quality consistent. Partnering with reputable ingredient suppliers also strengthens safety.
5. Continuous Training and Internal Quality Control:
The best bakeries do not wait for inspection. They test raw materials, check finished product weight, monitor oven temperature logs and train bakers and sales staff on food safety and handling. For MSMEs, this is where the difference between a roadside product and a retail-ready product is made.
The Role of FCCPC in Consumer Confidence.
While NAFDAC and SON regulate safety and standards, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is the voice of the consumer in the marketplace.
FCCPC builds confidence in three practical ways:
First, it protects consumers against misleading claims, unfair pricing, deceptive packaging and unethical marketing in the bakery sector. When a label promises sugar-free or fortified and it is not, the FCCPC has the mandate to intervene.
Second, it provides a channel for redress. A consumer who buys stale, contaminated or mislabeled confectionery can lodge a complaint and get a fair hearing. This assurance alone encourages people to try new brands, including MSME brands.
Third, through market surveillance, consumer education and collaboration with NAFDAC, SON and state consumer protection agencies, the FCCPC creates a level playing field. When consumers know someone is watching the market, trust increases and they are more willing to pay for premium, fortified and innovative bakery products.
The Opportunity Ahead:
With population growth, urbanization and demand for convenient foods, the future will belong to bakery brands that combine indulgence with health and safety. Health-oriented categories, premium breads and fortified products will gain traction, but only if safety and quality are non-negotiable.
For industry players, especially MSMEs who form the bulk of the sector, compliance should not be seen as a burden. It is the business strategy that turns a one-time buyer into a loyal customer and turns a local bakery into a national brand.
We thank FCCPC Nigeria for the opportunity to join the Stakeholders’ Engagement on Quality, Safety and Consumer Protection in the Bakery and Confectionery Sector.
Thank you for strengthening consumer safety and confidence thereby creating stricter regulatory conformity for industry actors and players for health and economic growth and development.
