FCCPC Closes Five Kano Textile Warehouses Over Regulatory Infractions

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed five textile warehouses in Kano State following the discovery of multiple regulatory breaches and unfair trade practices. The enforcement operation, carried out over the weekend, marks the latest in a series of crackdowns by the agency aimed at sanitising Nigeria’s manufacturing and distribution sectors, ensuring compliance with consumer protection and competition laws.

According to FCCPC officials, the affected warehouses were found to have violated several provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA). The infractions reportedly include price manipulation, hoarding of essential goods, sale of substandard textile materials, and failure to provide accurate product information to consumers. The Commission stated that the closures became necessary after repeated warnings and inspections revealed continued non-compliance by the operators.

Speaking to journalists in Kano, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, explained that the operation was part of the Commission’s nationwide enforcement drive to curb anti-competitive behaviour and protect consumers from exploitation. He said the textile warehouses were shut down following detailed investigations and confirmed evidence of violations. “Our inspection teams found that some operators were engaging in unfair trade practices, including price fixing and deliberate hoarding to create artificial scarcity,” Abdullahi stated.

He added that such activities were detrimental to both consumers and the broader Nigerian textile industry, which has been struggling to recover amid rising production costs and foreign competition. “The Commission will not allow any player in the textile sector to distort the market or undermine consumer confidence,” Abdullahi warned.

The FCCPC boss further disclosed that the Commission’s monitoring teams had received numerous complaints from retailers and buyers in the Kano textile market regarding inconsistent pricing, deceptive packaging, and lack of transparency. The Commission subsequently conducted unannounced visits to several warehouses, leading to the discovery of significant stockpiles of textiles hidden from public sale to influence market prices.

“Our teams confirmed that these warehouses were deliberately withholding supplies to trigger scarcity and increase prices unfairly. Such conduct violates the Competition and Consumer Protection Act and will attract penalties,” Abdullahi noted.

Sources within the Commission revealed that the enforcement action involved collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to ensure compliance with product standards and safety requirements. Some of the confiscated goods were reportedly found to be counterfeit or below approved quality standards.

The FCCPC said that the affected warehouse owners would face prosecution if found guilty of breaching the country’s consumer protection and competition laws. The Commission has also launched a wider investigation into the supply chain of the Kano textile market to identify other players engaging in similar illegal practices.

Industry analysts have commended the FCCPC’s intervention, describing it as timely and necessary to restore order in the textile distribution network. Kano, known as one of Nigeria’s key textile trading hubs, has faced challenges in recent years due to unfair practices, smuggling, and importation of substandard fabrics that undermine local manufacturers.

Economist and market analyst, Dr. Habiba Musa, said the FCCPC’s action could help stabilise prices and improve consumer confidence. “When traders manipulate supply and prices, it distorts the entire market ecosystem. Regulatory enforcement like this is crucial to ensuring that competition remains fair and that consumers get value for their money,” she explained.

Dr. Musa added that Nigeria’s textile industry, once a major employer and contributor to GDP, has been weakened by weak enforcement and unfair competition from imported fabrics. “Ensuring compliance through agencies like the FCCPC can help revive the sector and protect local producers from exploitative middlemen,” she said.

Meanwhile, the FCCPC has urged consumers and traders to report unfair or illegal practices through its complaint platforms. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the interests of consumers and ensuring that market operators adhere strictly to ethical business conduct. “Our mandate is to ensure a fair marketplace where consumers are protected, and competition is not distorted. We will continue to take necessary enforcement actions where violations are detected,” Abdullahi reiterated.

In addition to the closures, the FCCPC has issued compliance directives to other warehouses and distributors within the Kano textile cluster, instructing them to review their operational practices and align with regulatory standards. The Commission warned that failure to comply could lead to similar sanctions, including closure, prosecution, or permanent revocation of operating licenses.

Reports indicate that the sealed warehouses have been placed under temporary surveillance, with FCCPC officials ensuring that no goods are moved or sold pending the conclusion of investigations. The Commission said the affected traders would be required to submit relevant documentation, including purchase records, import permits, and tax compliance certificates, to facilitate the inquiry.

The enforcement drive comes amid broader efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen consumer protection frameworks across various sectors. Over the past year, the FCCPC has intensified oversight in food, pharmaceuticals, digital commerce, and energy markets, targeting sharp practices that exploit Nigerian consumers.

For stakeholders in the textile industry, the latest action serves as a clear signal that regulatory laxity will no longer be tolerated. Market associations in Kano have already begun holding meetings to ensure members comply with FCCPC directives, while consumer advocacy groups have praised the Commission’s decisiveness.

As investigations continue, the FCCPC has pledged transparency and fairness in handling the matter, noting that genuine operators who comply with market regulations have nothing to fear. “Our goal is not to stifle business but to ensure accountability, competition, and fairness,” Abdullahi concluded.