Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, has said that Nigeria is now a net exporter of cement, producing about 28.5 million metric tonnes annually, which has made it possible for the non-issuance of import license for cement importers in the sector in 2013.Aganga who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the formal launch of the “Check the BB (Best Before) Date” campaign organised by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) stated that made in Nigeria products have continued to enhance capacity utilisation and the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
He emphasised that his ministry would not relent in working closely with industries to improve productivity and the quality of their products.
According to him, to successfully market Nigerian products overseas, concerted efforts must be made by industries to embrace measures put in place to ensure products’ quality as well as protect consumers laws and regulations on date markings and other quality parameters.
The Minister disclosed that the “Check the BB Date” campaign embarked upon by CPC underscores the need to get industries to adhere to best practices and the necessity of providing additional protection for vulnerable consumers in Nigeria.
“In view of the hazards posed to consumers by this situation, my ministry will give every support to CPC in its ongoing efforts to step up its inspection and enforcement activities, with a view to detecting, exposing and prosecuting dubious businesses that profiteer at the expense of consumers,” he said.
Aganga was of the opinion that an informed and educated consumer is an empowered consumer, empowered to make a choice, to generally assert himself in order to get a fair deal and to seek redress when not satisfied.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Governing Board of the CPC, Air Commodore (rtd) Ishaku Gang Mwadkon, explained that “BB Dates” are small print usually on products packaging and are the prima facie evidence as to whether a product has expired or is fit for determining factor whether “you end up in hospital,” after consuming a product.
He lamented that majority of Nigerian consumers neither comprehend nor know about the importance of the BB date or simply ignore it when making purchase, adding that unscrupulous marketers capitalise on consumers’ lack of awareness to expose them to grave risk by placing in the market products without BB dates.
Meanwhile, in her welcome address, the Director General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Dupe Atoki, stressed that over time, the lack of awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities has been exploited by some businesses to brazenly engage in all sorts of sharp practices that undermine the safety, comfort and economic interest of consumers.
She disclosed that the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection, which serves as an international policy framework for consumer organisations worldwide places great emphasis on consumer education.
“The guidelines impose an obligation on government to formulate or encourage the development of general consumer education and information programme,” she said.
Atoki stated that in her reckoning, the issue of BB dates was crucial owing to the risks and economic losses suffered by Nigerian consumers who purchase products like foods, beverages, pharmaceutical products, batteries, tyres, paints and other items, without paying attention to their expiry dates.

Nigeria joins league of cement exporters with 28.5mmt – Aganga