By Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – A wave of dissatisfaction among Nigerian consumers has sparked widespread calls for the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate popular e-commerce platforms, particularly the newcomer Temu and established player Jumia. Complaints about failed deliveries, deceptive pricing strategies, and poor customer service have fueled the uproar, especially during the recent yuletide season.
Temu under fire for failed promises
Temu, the latest entrant into Nigeria's online shopping market, made a bold debut with an aggressive marketing campaign and irresistible pricing. However, consumers allege that the platform has failed to deliver on its promises. Ken Chinedu, a frustrated customer, described his experience:
"Stay away from Temu. They are a scam company. They make you wait three months for a refund on undelivered orders. Since November, I’ve been fighting for my refund, and all they say is it’s on its way. Scam and fraud company.”
Similarly, Deji Ashano recounted a mix-up with his order: "I ordered a sewing machine, but they sent me a jewelry box shaped like a sewing machine. They claimed I didn’t read the description properly. I wouldn’t recommend Temu to my worst enemy."
Even Nollywood star Tonto Dikeh joined the chorus of dissatisfaction. She humorously vented on Facebook: "This brand is too bold. Too embarrassed to show, so let’s just laugh. If I catch these Temu people, lmaoooo!"
Jumia faces familiar criticism
Jumia, one of Nigeria’s leading e-commerce platforms, is also under scrutiny. Complaints of delayed deliveries, unprocessed refunds, and generic responses to grievances are rife. One customer, Seun Festus, shared a refund notification from Jumia after the company failed to deliver a 7-Speed Electric Hand Mixer Whisk on schedule.
Jumia’s response has been criticized for its impersonal tone, with one template dominating its social media handles: "We apologize for the experience. Kindly revert with your correct 10-digit order number via DM for further assistance."
Expert warnings about Temu’s operations
Concerns about Temu extend beyond delivery issues. Experts point to troubling data privacy practices and its ties to PDD Holdings, a China-based company. According to a U.S.-based investigation, Temu collects extensive user data, including personal information, GPS location, and browsing habits. The lack of two-factor authentication (2FA) on the platform exacerbates security risks.
Consumer advocacy and FCCPC’s role
Nigerians are now urging the FCCPC to step in and protect consumers from what they perceive as exploitative practices. Odeh Ben Ogah, another aggrieved shopper, criticized Temu’s pricing strategy: "They lure you in with heavy discounts on Facebook. Out of excitement, I downloaded the app, but when I tried to check out, I was told I had to make a purchase worth ₦50,000 for a ₦10,000 item. I uninstalled the app immediately."
While complaints about Jumia and Jiji are not new, the intensity of consumer backlash has heightened expectations for FCCPC’s intervention.
FCCPC’s response awaited
The FCCPC, tasked with ensuring fair trade and consumer protection, is yet to issue a formal statement on the growing concerns. Nigerians hope for swift action to address these issues and hold e-commerce platforms accountable.
As the e-commerce market continues to grow, the spotlight is firmly on regulators to ensure that platforms operate transparently and deliver on their promises to consumers.
.jpeg)
