The Lagos State Government has warned businesses against using “No Refund, No Return and No Cancellation” policies to deny customers their rights.

The warning came from the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA, in a statement shared on Wednesday. The agency said such policies cannot override state and federal consumer protection laws.

LASCOPA General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, gave the warning during a mediation session in Ikeja. The case involved a customer and an event centre over a disputed cancellation charge. The customer had paid a 50 per cent deposit, then asked to cancel. The centre relied on its internal policy to deny a refund.

Solebo said company policies must comply with the Lagos State Consumer Protection Law 2025 and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018. Where policies conflict with the law, the law takes precedence. He warned against blanket disclaimers used to evade legal duties.

LASCOPA said it keeps receiving complaints from consumers denied refunds, replacements or other remedies. Many businesses display “No Refund” notices, believing it protects them. The agency said such notices do not remove a consumer’s right to redress, especially for defective or misrepresented products.

However, the agency said the law does not guarantee automatic full refunds in every case. Entitlement depends on the circumstances and the law. A change of mind alone does not entitle a customer to a refund. Each case must be judged on its merits.

Businesses were urged to review refund policies, warranty terms and cancellation charges. Policies should be fair, transparent and lawful. Businesses should also display prices clearly and give accurate product information. This will build trust and reduce disputes.

Solebo said complaints about unfair practices have continued in the past six months. He urged residents to report violations to LASCOPA. In March, the agency said it resolved over 11,000 cases and recovered over N860m for residents in five years.