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Broken healthcare links threaten Nigeria’s UHC ambition – AMCE CEO

Brian Deaver, the Chief Executive Officer of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), has warned that Nigeria’s universal health coverage (UHC) ambition will remain out of reach unless the country fixes weak referral systems, accountability gaps and shortages of skilled healthcare workers.

Deaver said more funding alone cannot deliver universal healthcare, stressing the need for a connected system in which primary healthcare centres, diagnostic services, emergency care and specialist hospitals work seamlessly to ensure patients receive timely and quality treatment.

He spoke at the BusinessDay Health Conference 2026 in Abuja, under the theme, ‘Building Trust, Building Systems: Strengthening the Basic Health Care Provision Fund for Universal Health Coverage.’

He said universal health coverage was ultimately about ‘trust that healthcare will be available when it is needed’, irrespective of where a patient lives or their financial status.

‘Trust is created when the entire circuit works, not merely when one component performs well,’ Deaver said.

According to him, Nigeria’s high out-of-pocket healthcare spending means illness remains both a medical and financial burden for millions of households.

Citing World Health Organisation data, Deaver said out-of-pocket payments accounted for 71.9% of current healthcare expenditure in 2023, stressing that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) must be assessed by the outcomes it delivers rather than merely the amount disbursed.

‘The true test is whether a patient in a primary health setting can obtain an accurate and timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and, when necessary, a seamless referral to a higher level of care,’ he said.

Deaver likened Nigeria’s health system to an electrical grid, saying excellent hospitals would have limited impact if primary healthcare facilities, laboratories, pharmacies, emergency services, transport and referral systems remained disconnected.

‘A brilliant hospital disconnected from the rest of the system is like a power station without a transmission line. Impressive, but unable to deliver its full value to people who desperately need it,’ he said.

He identified transparency, functional referral protocols, outcome-based performance measurement, sustained investment in healthcare workers and digital systems as five priorities for strengthening UHC.

Deaver also disclosed that AMCE had registered more than 5,000 patients from over 20 countries and processed more than 40,000 diagnostic tests and investigations within nine months of receiving full licensure.

He said the centre’s experience demonstrated the demand for advanced healthcare closer to home, but stressed that specialised facilities alone could not build public confidence.

Frank Aigbogun, Publisher of BusinessDay Media Limited, in his welcome address, called for a robust system to drive accountability and build public trust in Nigeria healthcare system, without which he said investments may not yield tangible results.

According to him, while the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) remains a critical mechanism for supporting vulnerable populations, its success hinges entirely on operational transparency and administrative accountability.

He stressed that sustained healthcare financing alone will not deliver Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria without robust systems to track funds.

‘At its core, healthcare is about trust: trust that citizens will receive quality care, that public resources will reach those for whom they are intended, that health workers have the tools and support to do their jobs, and that the systems we build today will continue to work tomorrow.

‘We need systems that track resources from allocation to impact, promote accountability at every level, equip health facilities to deliver quality services, and provide reliable data for decision-making. Most importantly, citizens must see tangible results from healthcare investments.

‘Strengthening the BHCPF must therefore go hand in hand with transparency, accountability and measurable outcomes. Where citizens do not trust the system, access and confidence suffer; where providers cannot rely on funding mechanisms, implementation is weakened; and where impact cannot be demonstrated, investment and partnerships become more difficult,’ he said.

Aigbogun who was represented by Oghenevwoke Ighure, managing director, BusinessDay media limited, noted that the private sector has an important role across healthcare delivery and financing, stressing that transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system cannot be achieved by government alone.

He stressed that the BHCPF presents an important opportunity for the development of the Nigerian healthcare sector, adding that’its success depends on building trust around the money and systems around the funding. For him, efforts must move beyond diagnosis towards solutions: identifying what works, and confronting what does not.

‘Universal Health Coverage is ultimately about people the mother who should not have to choose between feeding her family and paying for healthcare, the child who deserves quality primary healthcare regardless of where they are born, and the healthcare worker who needs a functioning facility and the resources to save lives. Access to quality healthcare should rot be determined by income, geography or circumstance.

‘At BusinessDay, we believe a healthier Nigeria is not only a social imperative but also an economic imperative. A healthy population is more productive, a stronger healthcare system creates jobs and investment, and affordable, quality healthcare strengthens the foundation for sustainable economic development.

‘BusinessDay also believes that transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system cannot be achieved by government alone, The private sector has an important role across healthcare delivery, financing, technology, pharmaceuticals, insurance, diagnostics, Infrastructure, manufacturing and innovation.

He challenged stakeholders to build partnerships among government, business, development partners, healthcare professionals and communities and make those partnerships work at scale.

5 everyday household items that give off low radiation

When most people hear the word radiation, their minds immediately jump to nuclear power stations, X-ray machines, or major chemical disasters.

The reality is that radiation is a natural part of our everyday environment. Scientists call this background radiation, and it exists all around us in the air, the soil, the water, and even the food we eat every day.

You do not need to work in a laboratory or live near an industrial plant to come into contact with radioactive elements. Small, harmless amounts of naturally occurring isotopes are present inside ordinary tools, kitchen foods, and building supplies found in modern homes across the globe.

In this article, Tribune Online examines five common household items that emit trace amounts of radiation, breaking down how they work and why global safety agencies confirm they pose no threat to your health.

Ionisation smoke detectors

Many standard home smoke alarms rely on a tiny speck of radioactive material known as Americium-241 to detect fire. This synthetic element produces alpha particles that create a steady electric current inside a small chamber.

When smoke particles drift into the chamber, they disrupt this current, which instantly triggers the loud alarm.

The radioactive source is securely sealed inside a durable metal protective casing. The radiation cannot escape during normal use, meaning the device on your ceiling is entirely harmless while actively protecting your family from house fires.

Bananas

Bananas are globally recognised as one of the richest dietary sources of potassium, which is a vital nutrient for heart health and muscle function. Naturally occurring potassium contains a tiny fraction of a radioactive isotope called Potassium-40. Because of this natural composition, every banana gives off a minute, measurable amount of radiation.

The radiation level is so minimal that scientists frequently use the Banana Equivalent Dose as a simple teaching tool to explain low-level radiation to the public. Health authorities at the World Health Organization emphasise that your body naturally regulates its potassium levels, which prevents any radioactive buildup and keeps you completely safe.

Granite kitchen countertops

Granite is a popular natural stone used for durable kitchen worktops and decorative home tiles worldwide. Because it is quarried directly from deep underground rock formations, granite naturally contains trace deposits of uranium, thorium, and potassium. Over time, these natural elements slowly decay and release tiny traces of radon gas along with faint gamma rays.

The radiation emitted by standard polished granite slabs is barely distinguishable from normal background levels. Unless a home has severe ventilation problems, the trace gas decays far too quickly to create any medical concern for homeowners.

Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts consistently rank among the most naturally radioactive foods available in grocery stores. The massive root systems of wild Brazil nut trees reach exceptionally deep into tropical soil, where they absorb unusually high amounts of naturally occurring radium and barium directly from the earth.

The tree channels these minerals straight into the growing nuts as they mature on the branches. While sensitive laboratory equipment can easily pick up the radioactivity in a small bag of nuts, dietary experts note that eating them in normal, moderate quantities delivers essential selenium without exposing your body to harmful radiation doses.

Older ceramic tiles and vintage dishware

Homes built several decades ago, as well as antique decorative dishes like vintage Fiesta dinnerware, often feature brightly colored glazes made with natural uranium oxide.

Manufacturers commonly added uranium compounds to glazes during the mid-twentieth century to produce brilliant reds, greens, and vibrant yellow finishes on clay plates and bathroom walls.

’AI should be strictly monitored, evaluated’

AMID the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), the country’s chief economist said that the government use of the technology should still be subjected to strict monitoring and evaluation to ensure it delivers public value.

‘AI can support monitoring and evaluation, but AI itself must also be monitored and evaluated,’ Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

He said agencies should assess whether AI-supported systems achieve their intended results, work under actual conditions, perform fairly across groups and locations, and deliver benefits that justify their costs and risks.

Balisacan explained that AI systems can reproduce errors and biases embedded in their data and design.

‘An output may appear precise and still be wrong. A system may perform well on average while producing poor results for particular groups or communities, deepening the very inequities that public policy seeks to address,’ he added.

The Philippines ranked 49th out of 195 countries in Oxford Insights’ 2025 Government AI Readiness Index, with a score of 57.76 out of 100, above the global average of 41.40.

The country scored 69.17 in public-sector adoption, while it posted higher scores in policy capacity at 84.50 and governance at 70.84. Its scores were lower in AI infrastructure at 48.11 and development and diffusion at 42.46.

According to Balisacan, government’s adaptation to AI should also involve investing in reliable data systems, personnel who can critically evaluate AI outputs, and safeguards for privacy, fairness, transparency, and the integrity of public evidence.

Before scaling an AI-enabled tool, he said agencies should define the problem and expected results, test the system, document its limitations, and identify who will be responsible for review and corrective action.

‘They must also know what data are being used, whether these are accurate and representative, who may access them, and how privacy and security are protected,’ he said.

Balisacan said these safeguards are particularly important as government MandE systems continue to face fragmented reporting, uneven data quality, manual processing, and delays in delivering information to decision-makers.

AI could help agencies monitor programs more frequently, process field information faster, recognize patterns across large datasets and identify implementation concerns earlier, he said.

The Department of Economy, Planning and Development earlier said the Marcos administration is finalizing its AI framework, which is expected to help streamline government processes and improve project monitoring.

The framework is expected to be released this month.

Same natural world, two distinct artistic sensibilities

Mother and daughter artists Ethel Dimacuha and Camille dela Rosa share not only a familial bond but also a deep affinity with nature, which has long served as a wellspring of their creative impulses and inspiration for their respective artistic practices.

This exhibition titled, ‘Interwoven’ at the Nami Gallery, explores the common passion and bond of these two artists who are dedicated to their craft but also explore their own interests and passions translated and filtered onto the canvas. In this particular presentation, they also turn their full attention to nature, exploring its forms and meanings. The show presents recent oil and acrylic paintings from this pairing. These artworks also offer insight into the ways they work both collaboratively and independently, while revealing the distinct and remarkable qualities of their respective oeuvres, shaped and refined over years of artistic practice.

Dimacuha, a former art professor, is best known for her vibrant geometric semi abstraction in which nature and recognizable forms are fragmented into angular planes and saturated color fields. Dela Rosa, on the other hand, is known for her figurative surrealist practice and has established a distinctive presence within the genre over the years. Here, she makes a slight return to a more impressionistic approach and style. She presents flowers not as delicate, decorative subjects but as dense, almost bodily forms. They share a heightened sense of materiality, with details and shadows rendered through visible, expressive brushwork.

When nature is filtered through two different artists, it becomes a space where different perspectives can coexist. Their approaches may be distinct, almost like yin and yang. One of them expresses life through vibrant color and energetic forms, while the other finds meaning in quieter gestures, softer forms, and the coexistence of beauty and fragility. Such is the case here.

Their styles do not compete with one another. Instead, they create a kind of balance. Together, the paintings become a conversation between mother and daughter, revealing two different ways of seeing and interpreting the world while remaining deeply connected through a shared source.

Dimacuha says : ‘I use very bright colors because that is simply who I am: energetic, cheerful, and full of life. For me, color is not merely decorative. It carries spiritual and emotional energy. When I surround myself with vibrant colors and translate them onto the canvas, I find a sense of happiness, strength, and optimism. Nature, as I see it, is full of vitality and possibility, and I want my paintings to carry that same energy.’

Meanwhile, dela Rosa, painting flowers is a way of expressing how she sees life: vibrant and warm at times, quiet and subdued at others. Her works juxtapose soft, flowing petals with broken and fragmented forms, reflecting life’s fragility and constant change. Yet even amid what shatters, she sees the possibility of continuing, growing, and ultimately blooming.

Their backgrounds are as disparate as well.

With one foot in the academic field, Dimacuha earned a master’s degree in Art History at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and went on to teach Art History and Humanities at St. Scholastica’s College, Technological University of the Philippines, and Lyceum of the Philippines, notably representing the latter as a Teacher Grantee in the JICA 21st Century Japan-Philippine Teachers Goodwill Program. Her artistic practice, meanwhile, began taking shape in 1981, when she started exhibiting her work. Since then, she has participated in numerous group exhibitions and mounted nine solo shows, steadily building a practice that bridges her scholarly background with her life as an artist. In 1987, she earned the Third Prize in the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) Art Competition-an accolade that reflected her sustained focus and commitment to her practice, as recognized by her peers.

In the art community, Dela Rosa is also often introduced as the daughter of the noted painter, Ibarra Y. Dela Rosa, a distinction that can be both a privilege and a burden. Her identity as an artist inevitably places her under the long shadow of her father’s legacy, bringing with it the pressure to measure up, distinguish herself, and ultimately be recognized on the strength of her own work.

Worth mentioning however is that despite being self-taught and given her age, dela Rosa is quite accomplished herself. She already had 23 solo exhibitions and participated in different group exhibits held in various parts of the world including Paris, Belgium, Germany, London and Holland. Key recognitions include : Honorable Mention at Art Association of the Philippines Competition (2005); Top 40 Philippine Art Awards (2009); 2nd place at Pagalingan Pinay Art Competition (2009).

In 2017, her steam punk painting became the official CD and DVD album cover of the international rock band Sepultura’s ‘Machine Messiah’.Her work was also included in Phantastische Venus 2015 (Viechtach, Germany) Book, Featuring 70 Surrealist Female Artists Around the World.

At the heart of INTERWOVEN is the idea that connection does not require sameness. The exhibition brings together two distinct artistic practices shaped by different temperaments, visual languages, and ways of experiencing the natural world. For one artist, nature becomes an expression of energy, optimism, and the emotional power of color. For the other, it becomes a reflection on fragility, transformation, and the persistence of life even through moments of rupture.

When asked how blood relations and and the sense of being part of the same family figure into their respective practices, and whether these connections are predetermined or instead constructed through their artistic dialogue, both agree: ‘It wasn’t something predetermined. We don’t plan it out. We simply paint what we feel and what our individual personalities bring to the canvas.’

What emerges is a visual conversation between two artists who share a familial history and a common love for nature and yet they arrive at their own individual ways of seeing it. Their works stand side by side, not as reflections of one another, but as parallel forms of growth: separate, connected, and continually revealing.

More importantly, the exhibition reveals a partnership rooted in continual making and creative curiosity unique to this family.

The exhibit runs September 8 to 20, 2026 at Nami Art Gallery, Pioneer Center, Kapitolyo Pasig City.

BELIZE-COURT-Central Bank ordered to compensate former employee over unfair dismissal

A former senior clerk at the Central Bank of Belize has been awarded BZ$26,998.50 (BZ$1=US$0.50) after the Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal found that her termination was unfair and unjustified.

Dapheen Bowen, who worked at the bank for nearly 19 years, was dismissed in June 2025 following disciplinary proceedings related to a personal WhatsApp post.

The Tribunal found that the bank failed to follow certain disciplinary procedures required under its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), including providing Bowen with written notice of the complaint and adequate time to respond.

It also found that reinstatement was impractical because the employment relationship had broken down and a significant period had passed since her termination.

The Tribunal therefore awarded Bowen the compensation, subject to applicable statutory deductions.

Bowen was represented by the Christian Workers Union (CWU). CWU President Leonora Flowers said the union had maintained that Bowen was wrongfully terminated and pursued the matter through the tribunal after efforts to resolve it failed.

Flowers said the case took about 14 months and that the tribunal ruled in the union’s favour on August 28.

‘Once we rely on the law and understand what the law is, we can take our time and get there,’ she said.

In a statement, the Central Bank said it accepts the Tribunal’s findings concerning the disciplinary procedures but maintains its position on the dismissal.

The bank said the case centred on a WhatsApp post that it interpreted as referring to the use of a firearm in the context of workplace frustrations.

‘The Central Bank has always maintained that references suggesting the use of a firearm against others, particularly in the context of workplace frustrations, to be a serious matter,’ it said.

The bank also said institutions cannot ignore conduct that may create fear, undermine trust or raise security concerns, and that employers must be able to respond appropriately to such matters.

Nebbi leaders seek to turn Nduru Hill into tourism site

Leaders in Nebbi Municipality have proposed the development of Nduru Hill, commonly referred to as Got Nebbi, into a tourist site.

The Deputy Mayor of Nebbi Municipal Council, Mr Howard Musa, said on Monday that the council had resolved to include Nduru Hill in its key infrastructure priority plan submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for consideration.

‘Nduru Hill is our identity. Developing it will attract tourists, create jobs for our youth and protect our cultural heritage,’ Musa said.

He added that Nebbi Municipality wants to open access roads to the hill, install solar lights, construct perimeter fences, build public toilets and set up a cultural centre with a craft market for local artisans in the area.

The proposal was revealed during a meeting between Nebbi Municipal Council leaders and members of Nduru Hill Resource Development Association at Nduru Hill in Abindu Division, Nebbi Municipal Council.

The proposal comes as the municipality prepares to implement a bus and taxi park project under the five-year World Bank funded Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) project where Nebbi is among the 15 new municipalities added to the programme.

Nebbi has already secured Shs16.5b for a modern bus and taxi park.

Resolution

The Board Chairman of Nduru Hill Resource Development Association, Mr Ibrahim Harunah, said: ‘The site currently lacks amenities while some community members are also encroaching on the site’s land.’

He urged the Nebbi Municipal Council to speedily resolve the encumbrances to clear way for the tourism project.

The Tourism Officer of Nebbi Municipality, Mr Denis Okello, said historically, Nduru Hill derives its name from a king named Nduru, an ancestor to three clans namely Paminya, Pagei and Upanu from Nebbi Municipal Council.

‘As such, the three clans should be involved in the development plan,’ he said.

He added: ‘If Nduru Hill Rocks is well developed into a cultural site, it will be used as a cultural training centre that will house a conference hall, restaurant, accommodation facilities, festival ground, arts and craft shop and a museum.’

One of the community members living near Nduru Hill, Mr Albert Olum, welcomed the idea of fencing the four-acre Nduru Hill and turning it into a tourism site.

‘It will be a milestone to the community around the hill. That way, all the bad acts like evil rituals, rape and theft would greatly reduce, guaranteeing security of the place,’ Mr Olum said.

ABOUT NDURU HILL

From the peak, one can view the beautiful landscape of Nebbi Municipality. The hill has chair shaped stones that were used by the traditional chiefs.

It was used for both as an administrative hub and a screening point for Alur, who had been enslaved in the DR Congo by colonial masters and transported from Fort Emin Pasha in Wadelai, which is now in Pakwach District.

In 2023, wrangle erupted between religious leaders and cultural leaders over Nduru Hill on the outskirts of Nebbi Town.

The tension was due to religious leaders from Nebbi Catholic Diocese erecting a cross atop the hill, which angered a section of the elders, youth and cultural leaders.

They argued that the presence of the cross impedes their ability to carry out rituals and engage in leisure activities on the hills.

For instance, every Sunday, several youth climb the hill, set their music system and engage in dances until 7pm.

Shelton stuns Alcaraz to reach US Open semis

Ben Shelton has beaten defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6(10-7) to reach?the semi-finals of the U.S. Open in the latest-finishing match in tournament history.

Shelton’s sets up a match in the last four with compatriot Frances Tiafoe, boosting home hopes of a first American men’s Grand Slam champion since 2003.

Seven-times major champion Alcaraz arrived at Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 13-0 ?Grand Slam record against U.S. men but found Shelton tough to break down in ?a match that began at 11.05 p.m. on Tuesday and finished at ?3.33 a.m. on Wednesday.

‘For me it’s always about the people in the crowd,’ Shelton said ?in explaining how he got through the gruelling contest.

‘Whether it’s my coaches and my team there, ?all my family and friends here, or the city of New York that showed up tonight till 3 a.m. with the USA chants until the very end.

‘That’s what kept me going, and that’s what got me this ?win tonight.

‘It’s incredible. I always say that this is the greatest sports city in the ?world. I say that this is the greatest stadium in the world.’

Alcaraz clinched a tight first-set tiebreak and looked have ?all the momentum but uncharacteristic sloppiness allowed Shelton to breeze through the next set before the American tightened his grip on the quarter-final by taking the third.

The Spaniard, making his comeback in New York after nearly five months out with a wrist issue, looked flat and made ?far too many unforced ?errors on his forehand ?but still managed to force a deciding set amid roars from the delighted fans.

Alcaraz vomited into a towel during the break but went toe-to-toe ?with Shelton for 12 games before his opponent closed out the ?shock win after ?four hours and 28 minutes.

‘I’m hoping that my best friend and my sister up there don’t have to be at work in three hours,’ Shelton added.

‘It would be huge from their employers to ?let ?them have the day off today.

‘To be here in front ?of you guys tonight is an absolute honour. Sharing the court with Carlos is an absolute honour, and I cherish ?every moment I have out here.’

8 arrested after woman’s body found in banana plantation in Bushenyi

Grief and fear have engulfed Kitwe Cell in Rwentuuha Town Council, Bushenyi District, after a 34-year-old woman was found dead in a banana plantation on Thursday morning.

The deceased has been identified as Justina Sandres, born in Nyakishana sub-county, Buhweju District. She was operating a bar and waragi depot in Kitwe Cell where she was commonly known as Nakate.

According to residents who discovered the body, Nakate is suspected to have been sexually assaulted and strangled. Police are yet to confirm cause of death, pending postmortem.

A resident who was first at the scene described the harrowing moment.

“Am the one who covered her body after people had discovered she was dead. I found her when she was naked and as if she was gang raped and strangled to death. Blood was coming from the mouth and the eyes and she was dusty. I had to cover her after police told me to do so,” said Hawa Owoyesigiire, who operates a restaurant in the area.

“She was my neighbour. When I saw her, I remembered how we had a jolly life with her all the time and I couldn’t believe she was the one,” she added.

The LC1 Chairman of Kitwe Cell, Naboth Kasingye, said he was alerted by the owner of the banana plantation.

“I was shocked in the morning after the owner of this banana plantation called me notifying me that they found someone who appeared to be dead. I came and saw the body but couldn’t reach near it as a way of following police guidelines. So I went and reported to Rwentuuha Police Station and I came back with the OC together with the CID. What we saw, it’s as if the lady was raped,” Kasingye said.

He noted this was the fourth such incident in the area this year, linking many cases to excessive alcohol consumption and bars operating past authorized hours.

“In this area we have been putting measures like doing patrols and making sure people sleep early, but because the top leadership has allowed people to drink alcohol past time, we have lack of control,” he added.

LC5 Councillor for Rwentuuha Town Council, Frank Muhumuza, echoed the concern.

“We found a dead body in this banana plantation and this person is well known in Kitwe trading centre where she was operating a bar. Security is everyone’s responsibility. There are many bars around but they don’t always want to close early. People drink from morning till morning, automatically such murders are expected because when people are drunk they fight each other,” Muhumuza said.

Police from Bushenyi, with help of a K9 sniffer dog, combed the scene and arrested eight suspects to help with investigations.

The body has been taken to Kitagata Hospital for postmortem examination.

By press time, police had not yet issued an official statement, but investigations are ongoing.

Mandatory labelling of manufactured goods in Nigeria: What businesses and consumers need to know

On August 19, 2026, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (‘FCCPC or the Commission’) issued a Public Advisory on Mandatory Labelling of Manufactured Goods for Consumer Information (the ‘Advisory’), pursuant to Sections 17(p),(w),(x), 114, 116, 123 and 125 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (‘FCCPA’), 2018. The Advisory was prompted by the increasing circulation, distribution, and sale of consumer goods that do not comply with prevailing standards and regulations governing product labelling.

The Advisory directs all manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to immediately review their inventories and withdraw from sale any consumer goods that do not comply with applicable labelling requirements. It states that businesses that continue to distribute or sell non-compliant products risk appropriate regulatory enforcement action.

In light of the above, this insight provides an overview of the regulatory context and key implications of the Advisory for businesses and consumers.

Regulatory Objective

Under the FCCPA, the Commission is mandated to promote consumer safety by ensuring strict adherence to labelling requirements in line with applicable standards set by competent regulatory authorities, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Accordingly, deceptive, incomplete, or misleading product labelling violates consumers’ right to the information required to make informed purchasing decisions and may expose them to health, safety, and economic risks. The Advisory addresses these concerns.

1. Scope and Applicability:

The Advisory is directed at all participants in the supply chain for manufactured consumer goods. Specifically, it applies to:

– manufacturers of consumer goods;

– importers of consumer goods into Nigeria;

– distributors and wholesalers;

– retailers and vendors selling directly to consumers; and

– consumers purchasing manufactured goods.

2. What Should Stakeholders Know?

The Advisory raises several important compliance and practical implications for businesses and consumers, including the following:

a. Mandatory Labelling Requirements: All manufactured consumer goods must bear complete and accurate labelling information, including production dates, expiry or best-before dates, batch numbers, manufacturer details, ingredient lists, allergen information, and country of origin. Non-compliant products must be withdrawn from sale immediately.

b. Prohibition of Deceptive or Misleading Labels: The Advisory specifically targets products bearing misleading or deceptive information, as well as products with missing, illegible, altered, or misrepresented labels. Such labelling violates consumers’ right to information and may expose them to significant health, safety, and economic risks.

c. Immediate Inventory Review and Withdrawal Directive: The Commission has directed all manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to immediately review their inventories and withdraw from sale any consumer goods that do not comply with applicable labelling requirements. This is a direct compliance obligation, not merely advisory guidance.

d. Enforcement Action for Non-Compliance: Businesses that continue to distribute or sell non-compliant products risk appropriate regulatory enforcement action under the FCCPA. While the Advisory does not specify specific penalties, the FCCPA empowers the Commission to impose significant sanctions for violations of its consumer protection provision such as administrative penalties, orders requiring monetary restitution, refunds, repairs or replacement of non-compliant goods.

e. Consumer Guidance: Consumers are advised to carefully examine product labels before purchase and to avoid products with missing, illegible, altered, misrepresented, or poor-quality labels, as well as those bearing false claims or misleading information. Report suspected cases of non-compliance promptly through the Commission’s official complaint channels.

3. Conclusion

The FCCPC’s Advisory underscores the Commission’s commitment to strengthening nationwide market surveillance and enforcement activities in collaboration with relevant regulatory authorities such as SON and NAFDAC, whilst it signals a more proactive regulatory posture toward product labelling compliance.

Accordingly, manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers should conduct immediate audits of their product labelling practices and inventory to ensure full compliance with applicable labelling standards, given the risk of regulatory enforcement action. Businesses engaged in the manufacture, importation, distribution, or sale of consumer goods should seek guidance from qualified legal and regulatory professionals to ensure compliance with the applicable labelling requirements under the FCCPA and standards set by SON, NAFDAC, and other competent regulatory authorities.

Nimma Jo-Madugu, Partner and Michael Arinze and Chikaodinaka Monwuba, Associates – KENNA LP’s Corporate and Commercial Law Practice Unit

The Legal Insights column by KENNA provides thought leadership on the legal and business issues shaping today’s commercial landscape.

Social media influence poses new challenge for parents, experts warn

The growing influence of social media on children and young people is emerging as a new challenge for parents, with mental health advocates warning that constant exposure to online content and lifestyles could worsen emotional distress.

Addiction psychology specialist and mental health advocate Rebecca Makyeli said parents need to understand the digital environment their children are growing up in instead of dismissing behaviour changes as rebellion or laziness.

“Before we describe something as rebellion, as lazy, as useless to society, reckless or irresponsible, there are a number of experiences that person may be carrying, but they have never had counselling,” Makyeli said.

She was speaking during the second annual mental health and youth well-being conference organised by STANDS, an initiative whose name stands for Listen, Include, Validate and Empower (LIVE), in Kampala on Thursday.

The conference, held to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, brought together mental health professionals, researchers, doctors, therapists, caregivers, young people and community influencers to discuss suicide prevention and youth well-being.

Makyeli said social media has created an environment where young people are exposed to experiences that may be difficult to process.

“Children can now compare their lives with carefully presented images of wealth, beauty, relationships and success online, while also interacting with peers and strangers beyond their immediate communities,” she said.

She said such exposure can increase social pressure, particularly among young people already struggling with grief, family problems or low self-esteem.

She cautioned against treating social media as the sole cause of the crisis and urged parents to pay attention to what their children consume online.

Dr Kenneth Kalani from the Ministry of Health said parenting has become more challenging because children are growing up in a fundamentally different environment.

“Today, children are learning from a much wider world through technology and social media,” Kalani said.

He said economic pressures have changed family life, with many households requiring both parents to work, reducing time to monitor children’s emotional wellbeing.

Kalani said parents should not assume approaches used for previous generations will automatically work today.

He said a sudden decline in school performance or withdrawal from family could be signs a young person is struggling rather than misbehaving.

LIVE Executive Director Andrew Rugasira said the crisis is compounded by stigma, which prevents many families from openly discussing emotional difficulties.

“People don’t want to talk about it. People feel ashamed to talk about it, yet each family, each community is suffering from it,” Rugasira said.

He said the conference was intended to create a national conversation around mental health and suicide prevention.

“That’s a generation of young people dying, a generation of young people killing themselves before their full potential,” he said.

Rugasira said parents can play a critical role by noticing changes in behaviour and listening without immediately judging.

“Conversations are avenues that can actually prevent a crisis from happening,” he said.

“Recovery requires ecosystem support. When someone starts to get help, we should continue to care about their wellbeing, ask how they are doing and encourage them to keep showing up and choosing to live,” he added.

According to the Ministry of Health, approximately 24.2 percent of adults and 22.9 percent of children in Uganda are affected by mental health conditions, according to the State of Uganda Population Report 2025.